Gritting crews are ready to take action across East Renfrewshire this winter

Published: 20 October 2025

From today until the end of the second week in April, teams will be on hand to respond around the clock to weather alerts, ensuring priority routes across the area are safe and passable.

In preparation for the onset of winter conditions, we've 3,400 tonnes of grit in stock with a fleet of 10 gritting vehicles available for use. Tractors are also primed to treat higher ground areas. Essential dry runs have been carried out by gritting crews this month to check routes, prepare vehicles and train colleagues.

With more than 295 miles of gritting routes across East Renfrewshire, fixed gritting routes are pre-planned to ensure that, during normal winter conditions, 'A' roads, 'B' roads, one access route to fire stations and bus access routes, including one access route to each school served by a dedicated bus service are treated in first or second runs. During difficult weather conditions, including heavy snowfalls and freezing rain, gritting routes may be altered to concentrate on main traffic routes.

Winter controllers receive road updates and weather forecasts from specialist weather forecasters at least three times a day with roadside sensors also sending information to help check road conditions. Warnings of frost, freezing or snow conditions will result in precautionary salting of priority routes which cover 171 miles across East Renfrewshire and more than 56% of the total road network.

Councillor Danny Devlin, Convener for Environment and Housing, said: 'The winter maintenance team play a pivotal role in keeping East Renfrewshire moving each winter. Even in the coldest of temperatures and toughest of conditions, they'll be out gritting as much of our road network as resources allow.

'Although you may not always see them, they'll be out treating our roads, day and night, weekdays and weekends, and across public holidays to keep priority routes as safe as they can.

'It's just not possible to grit all 295 miles of roads and pavements across the authority, so it's always appreciated when residents are safely able to grit their own pavements and properties. If you live near an elderly or vulnerable person, please check in on them during the winter months whenever you can.

'Thanks to all of our drivers, controllers and support colleagues for their efforts which make a real difference to our communities - all whilst continuing to maintain and improve our roads and repair potholes as quickly as possible throughout the winter season.'

We've 330 standard grit bins and 17 community grit bins across the area, with residents encouraged to make use of the free salt available to grit their pavements and driveways.

Find out more about priority gritting routes, grit bin locations and view the interactive map.