THE impact of mindless vandalism bit hard last week when Alton councillors were forced to admit that, due to lack of resources, they would be unable to meet the growing demand for additional grit bins this winter.

Despite a commitment to expand the scheme, there is simply not enough money in the pot to instal more bins, and this is in no small way due to expenditure on repairing and replacing town council-owned property, including grit bins, damaged by vandals.

Ten new salt grit bins were introduced into the town two years ago, at a cost of £2,000, as part of what was hoped to be on-going project to help ensure improved safety on icy roads.

Following consultation with the public, bins were sited at strategic locations so that local residents could grit the roads themselves during slippery conditions.

Each bin was cared for by a local volunteer who took it upon themselves to carry out the salting and inform the council when it needed restocking.

Since then councillors have used the Altonian newsletter to encourage residents to put forward further suggested locations. These have included Amery Hill, Northanger Close, Balmoral Close, Cavalier Way, Divers Close, Knights Way, Vaughans, Will Hall Close and Upper Neatham Mill Lane - all of them sloping and prone to icing.

However, in a report to Alton Town Council's planning and transportation committee, deputy town clerk Greg Burt said that while each new bin would cost approximately £140, the method of securing them would have to be improved. Previously the bins have been placed on grass verges and secured with a steel stake, but this has not proved sufficient to deter vandals who tip the bins over, particularly when they are empty and lighter.

"I believe that any further bins need bolting on to a concrete base which would be an additional cost," he said.

While sensitive to the fact that the grit bins were valued by local residents, councillors were mindful that the budget was already overstretched. Faced with a potential cost far exceeding £1,500, councillors could see no way of funding any further bins during the current financial year.

They did, however, agree to put the case before ATC's policy and resources committee for inclusion of additional bin purchase in the 2005/06 budget.