Salt bins
There are over 1,200 salt bins located across the Scottish Borders to allow immediate self-help treatment of roads and footways during severe weather conditions.
Request a salt bin refill
Salt bins are checked and refilled regularly during the winter months.
Use our online Adverse weather form to let us know online if a salt bin needs refilled or call us on 0300 100 1800.
It is not always possible to respond to requests while gritting or snow clearing is being carried out.
Request a new salt bin
New salt bin requests are currently suspended due to ongoing system upgrades. This suspension is temporary, and this service is expected to be available again from September 2026. We appreciate your patience while this work is completed and apologise for any inconvenience caused.
A salt bin will not be sited:
- on a road or footway which is treated as a primary route
- anywhere that causes an obstruction to pedestrians
- on private roads or areas
We will consider the provision of salt bin for identified roads which meet the agreed criteria. The criteria is based on:
- the number of properties served by the road
- gradient
- distance from existing primary salting route or existing salt bin
- special features (such as steps, prolonged shade, proximity to public buildings: sheltered housing, health centres and schools)
The assessment is based on information gathered about the section of road in question, rather than individual householders information.
More information
See our winter FAQs for more on salt bins and other areas of our winter service.