'Nevermodern' said:

I happened to be in Frobisher Court, a Dulwich Estate block of flats off Sydenham Rise the other day, and noticed that there was an (unlocked) bin containing grit next to the carpark. I assumed that this was there to enable residents to grit the car park and approach road if they wanted to. Don't know who provided it - Dulwich Estate?

In response to Roz's and R. H. S. Dunlop's points, I understand that the council no longer provide grit bins because they get vandalised. My suggestion is that in steep and hilly side roads, someone should volunteer to have custody of a grit bin on their premises (eg front garden) plus a key. Neighbours would be told about this by a leaflet through their door. The leaflet would explain that if there were snow or ice and the road became impassable, the young and fit with a few minutes to spare were invited to ask the custodian for the key and do a bit of civic-minded spreading (bring your own spade).

Very much in the spirit if the Big Society, I suggest - though to say that is perhaps to strangle the idea at birth.