Footage appears to show the moment a grit bin is removed from a residential street in Oldham while snow and ice are still on the ground.

Residents across Oldham have criticised what appears to be a council decision to remove some grit bins from streets across the borough.

Video footage circulating on social media shows a removal truck and workmen removing one yellow grit bin from Clarksfield Road, on the corner of Glen Road, while snow and ice is on the ground.

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The video shows the workmen lifting the yellow bin from the road and onto a truck before driving away.

Sarah Anderson, who witnessed the removal of the bin, said: "Why now, at this time of year?

"You could not believe it, could you?"

In one video, Ms Anderson approaches a man removing the bin and asks: "Are you replacing that?"

The man says "no" and reveals the bin is "on the list to be removed".

The man, who says he works for Oldham Highways, explains "about 10" bins are on the list to be removed but said he wasn't sure if they were being fully removed or if they were due to be replaced via a scheme. 

Ms Anderson continues: "Before you go, are you going to grit all that? Because my 82-year-old mother walks down here.

"The grit that's here, is literally a minimum.

"This bin has been here for years."

Investigating the matter, Ms Anderson said she attempted to call the council but found "there is no one to speak to".

She added: "Every year we get cars stuck, people falling on that corner, and they chose now to do it.

"I don't know what they are thinking of at all.

"We pay council tax just like everyone else and it was placed there years ago - it serves the community.

"It seems to be happening all over by the sounds of the conversations I've had.

"The timing is impeccable."

Other residents were also quick to voice their disapproval of the removal as one woman wrote: "The absolute worst time of year to take it. Appalling.

"It's just a complete lack of common sense."

Another woman added: "Unbelievable, of all the days to remove a grit bin. Senseless." 

A third said she saw workmen remove the grit bin from her street in Derker the day before.

Mark Kenyon, Liberal Democrats councillor for Saddleworth West and Lees, said he was aware grit bins had been removed by the council in certain spots "because they were reportedly underused".

He said: "It was described as a political decision which we argued the toss over, very vocally.

"We still have no real idea why this happened because it makes zero sense."

Councillor Chris Goodwin, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods, added: “Last year we carried out a full review of where all the borough’s grit bins are located as some are at sites that are covered by our gritters, and others are not regularly used.

“Clarksfield Road is on a primary gritting route and is treated by the gritters therefore this particular bin is not required in this location.

“Before we removed any grit bins, we shared a list with all councillors for their input.

“Many of the bins were removed prior to winter. However, when we went down to Clarksfield Road we could not get to it because access was blocked by parked cars.

“We understand the timing of this removal may not look good but this was part of a scheduled work programme.”

If you have a story, I cover all things Oldham from food reviews and local business news to music and events, pubs, education, crime, property, health, community concerns and much more. Please email me at Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk or send me a message on Twitter @Livbridge with your news.