Residents of Southampton’s highest estate are celebrating after finally winning a battle to have grit bins installed.

As reported in the Daily Echo in September, those living on the Midanbury Estate, which is at the city’s highest point, have been campaigning for years to have community salt bins put in their roads.

Residents say conditions on the estate’s hills become ‘lethal’ in the snow, and they even organised a petition with 430 signatures, which was presented to Southampton City Council by MP John Denham.

It was too late for the most recent snowfall, but four bins have now been placed in Lichfield Road, Cornwall Road, Cleveland Road and Portview Road.

Resident Phil Bennett, who lives in Portview Road, said: “We’re pleased – at least next time the snow comes down we can get on with it and spread some grit around. It feels like we’ve finally come to the end of a long battle.”

Southampton City Council says it has carried out a comprehensive review of where grit bins are needed in the city.

A council spokesperson said: “We receive dozens of requests for new grit bins every year so we need to make sure we prioritise our resources and supply the areas most in need with new bins. While this review has taken place if any residents feel they have been left isolated we apologise.”