AN agreement has been reached to allow salt bins to be deployed around the New Forest this winter.

Verderers reached agreement with Hampshire County Council ahead of what some fear could be another snowy season.

The two clashed early in the autumn after 60 salt bins were distributed without the Verderers’ consent.

Because of this about half were taken away again – at a cost to the public of £5,000.

The Official Verderer, Dominic May, complained that the salt damaged grazing land and called for them to be removed immediately.

But the county council warned that the absence of bins could result in Forest roads having to be closed in severe weather.

Now the two organisations have reached a deal.

Mel Kendal, the council’s member for environment and transport, said: “We’ve come to an agreement with the Verderers to have bins placed in the New Forest in order that drivers are not put at unnecessary risk in bad weather.

“We recognise that the Forest is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and that grazing needs to be protected. We will be consulting the Verderers and landowners on the locations of all the bins and, where possible, will make sure they’re on highway land or gravel areas.”

A Verderers’ spokesman confirmed that the number of bins and where they will be put was still under discussion.