Residents across North Lanarkshire are advised to be prepared for winter, with information and advice available on North Lanarkshire Council’s website.
News of roads and pathway gritting actions are published every day on the website and on the @nlcwinter Twitter channel, and this year real time gritting information is available online.
“The council’s key priority is to keep primary routes open during severe winter weather,” said Councillor Helen Loughran, NLC’s Convener of the Environment and Climate Change Committee.
“We simply cannot treat every road, so we prioritise our resources on main roads and pavements that allow people to get to and from work by car or public transport and allow business to operate.
“We also provide salt at 14 locations in our communities, Household Waste Recycling Centres and 2,880 grit bins to allow residents to treat their own streets.”
Throughout the winter, the council and its partner Amey Public Services monitor specialist weather forecasts to decide when and where gritting is needed.
Gritting is prioritised on primary routes including ‘A’, ‘B’ and some ‘C’ roads, main roads in the vicinity of schools, access roads to hospitals, ambulance depots, main police stations and fire stations, and main bus routes.
When severe weather is forecast, these routes are treated before the morning and evening rush and, if necessary, again overnight.
The A725 and A8 trunk roads and the M73, M8, M80 and M74 motorways are maintained by the Scottish Government.
The primary path network - urban shopping areas and main pedestrian routes remote from carriageways which link major residential, commercial, industrial and educational facilities - is also treated before the morning rush.
Councillor Loughran also encouraged residents to be prepared for the winter weather ahead.
She added: “It’s important to plan ahead and be ready at home, on the roads and in the community.
"Our website provides useful information about staying warm and safe at home, planning ahead for the risk of power cuts, keeping emergency equipment in your car, and looking out for elderly and vulnerable neighbours.
“We also have advice available to support our residents through the current cost of living crisis, as well as practical help for those most in need.”
Community salt stocks are available at: Time Capsule Coatbridge; Airdrie Leisure Centre; Matt Busby Centre, Bellshill; Aquatec, Motherwell; Wishaw Sports Centre; Kilsyth Sports Centre; Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld; Shotts Sports Centre; Ian Nicholson Centre, Chryston; Salsburgh Community Centre; Burnhead Community Centre, Viewpark; Croy Community Hub; NCT Centre, Newmains; and Pivot Centre, Moodiesburn.
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