SELFISH householders have been accused of putting lives at risk by emptying community grit bins to stockpile their private supplies.

Transport officials at North Yorkshire County Council say they have received numerous complaints about people taking supplies meant for roads and pavements.

Gareth Dadd, executive member for highways, said: “Grit bins serve an important purpose by enabling people to help themselves and their neighbours to travel in greater safety.

"However, we do receive reports of people taking large amounts of grit from these bins for private use. This can put drivers and pedestrians at risk if the grit is then not there when needed in severe conditions.

“We urge people to use grit bins responsibly. If the grit is used indiscriminately or on private property, we may remove bins. People can buy rock salt for use on their own property from most DIY stores and garden centres.”

The council has also had complaints about people putting littler or dog dirt in the grit bins.

Cllr Tony Randerson, who represents Eastfield and Osgodby, said: "This grit is solely for use on the public highway during inclement weather, not for use on private driveways, which unfortunately some residents seem to think it is," he said. "This means that when roads are particularly bad with icy conditions there is little grit left."

Cllr Dadd spoke out yesterday as thousands of people across the county again woke up to icy and snowy conditions.

By 4.35pm yesterday, there had been 36 road accidents across North Yorkshire Police's area, including six in York.

Police said nobody had been hurt in any of the accidents. Of the 36, 35 were classed as minor with the only more serious one being in West Tanfield, near Ripon, where a car overturned.

Two cars collided and hit a bridge crossing the River Riccal, near Nunnington in the North York Moors. A car skidded and ended up in a hedge in Lilling, near Sheriff Hutton, and another rolled on to its side after skidding on ice in Thirsk, near the Norby turn-off.

Three vehicles collided in Manor Road in Kirkbymoorside and there were also crashes in Monk Fryston and Bedale.