'Ploughlo Grittini' and crew all set for the big freeze

Preparations are underway to ensure Renfrewshire is ready for winter, with communities being encouraged to plan ahead for severe weather and help to keep their neighbourhoods moving over the winter period.

- EMYLIE HOWIE

Council teams are preparing to deal with snow, ice and heavy rain as winter approaches with gritting teams covering more than 850km of roads across Renfrewshire on a priority basis. Local favourites including Ploughlo Grittini, Tony Gritzpatrick and Thawin' Batty will have access to more than 4500 tonnes of grit as teams work on a 24/7 basis to keep the roads network safe.

Hundreds of grit bins, including larger community grit bins, are available across Renfrewshire to support local people to clear pathways and areas in front of their homes, with council teams not always able to visit residential streets in advance of bad weather.

Drains are also being cleared in advance by council flooding teams, especially at known hotspots, to ensure they are as clear as possible if heavy rain was to hit Renfrewshire and they will be ready to respond if extreme downpours overwhelm the drainage system.