WEST Dunbartonshire Council has said it is fully prepared to tackle ice and snow this winter and is encouraging residents to ensure they are ready for the cold snap too.

The council has a fleet of nine gritting vehicles ready to treat roads in the area, as well as large and small tractors for treating pavements and footways, including areas around schools, shopping areas, clinics and sheltered housing complexes.

In total, 4,500 tonnes of rock salt has been stockpiled for the start of winter and is being used to treat priority roads and pavements and to ensure the 380 grit bins across the community are filled.

Residents are being encouraged to help themselves from the bins, which are positioned within 300 metres of every home, to keep pathways in their neighbourhood clear.

Small quantities of grit are also available from the council’s depots in Clydebank.

When temperatures plummet the council’s winter maintenance team plans to prioritise gritting major roads and a secondary effort will be made to grit pavements around schools, shopping areas, clinics, sheltered housing complexes, day centres and public buildings. Residential streets are then treated where resources allow.

Cllr Patrick McGlinchey, convener of infrastructure and regeneration, said: “Our teams’ proactive approach ensures our busiest roads keep moving and pavements are cleared when temperatures plummet or snow falls.

“We prioritise our busiest routes and steepest areas first and will then look to clear residential areas.

“We want residents to get themselves ready for winter by identifying where their nearest grit bin is.”