Council grounds staff are getting ready to plough through the cold winter to keep Inverclyde safe and moving.

The department prepares for winter all year round with tonnes of salt bought during the summer, when the price is lower, to stock up supplies at the massive salt barn in the Pottery Street depot.

From the start of October, the team moved into a winter setting with an on-call system, 24/7 working rota and weather updates received three times a day, which will last until the end of March at the earliest.

Councillor Michael McCormick, Inverclyde Council’s Convener of Environment and Regeneration, said: “Our staff are always preparing for winter so they are ready when the temperatures drop.

“We have invested over the years in our Pottery Street depot and salt dome to make sure we keep Inverclyde safe and moving during the cold winter months.

“We have a vast and complex network of roads, pavements and other areas to maintain and our staff work hard to do so.

“We’d also like to encourage residents to take the time to get ready for winter. Check where your nearest salt bin is and make sure it’s full. If it’s not, please let the Council know via our Customer Contact centre.

“Keep an eye on your neighbours, particularly if they’re elderly or vulnerable, and, if you’re fit and able, do your bit to keep your part of Inverclyde cleared and safe.

“We have advice on our website about clearing paths safely so please do have a read.

“We don’t know the winter forecast yet but we have plenty of salt, a fleet of gritters and well-trained staff ready to go when the time comes.”

The dome at Pottery Street currently houses just over 5,000 tonnes of salt with an average of about 3,000- 3,500 tonnes typically used over a normal winter.

As well as the council’s own fleet of gritters and ploughs, external contractors and farmers are often drafted in to provide extra assistance.

Roads are treated on a priority basis to ensure vital routes, such as those in and around hospitals, ambulance depots, fire stations, police offices, schools and bus routes, are kept clear.

There are over 400 grit bins located on roads which are not routinely gritted, for residents to use. If these are empty, please contact the Council via the Customer Contact Centre to have them refilled.

For more information, visit www.inverclyde.gov.uk/roads.