MORE than 4,000 tonnes of rock salt will help keep Dumbarton and the Vale moving this winter.

Council staff are already working to ensure highways and pathways remain safe during freezing conditions.

Councillor Iain McLaren, convener of infrastructure, regeneration and economic development at West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC), said: "We know there may be some disruptions due to ice and snow, but we’re doing all we can to ensure we keep West Dunbartonshire moving whatever the weather.

“Our weather can turn very quickly, and I hope residents are reassured to hear of the planning and preparation that has gone into dealing with it. 

“The grit stocks have been replenished, the bins in our communities have been filled up and the staff and equipment are ready to deal with another harsh winter.”

The roads team’s fleets of eight gritters will regularly treat every primary and secondary routes during longer periods of adverse weather.

They have been on 24-hour standby since November 4, reacting when temperatures dip below freezing or if there is a risk of ice.

When severe weather conditions are forecast, the council grits over 60 per cent of West Dunbartonshire’s public road network.

The council's Greenspace team work to ensure footpaths near schools, care homes, hospitals and other priority routes are kept clear.

This includes an out of hours footway gritting programme which will step up as weather requires to ensure town centres, schools and health centres are cleared.

In addition, West Dunbartonshire has more than 450 roadside grit bins across the area, meaning that generally no home is more than 300 metres from a supply should it become necessary.

Councillor Diane Docherty, vice-convener, added: “Our winter maintenance programme sets out our plans to help residents get through the worst of the inclement weather. 

“I am particularly pleased that the additional gritting we’ve had on our paths and pavements since 2019 will continue this winter, which will benefit all residents but especially help those who are elderly or disabled to feel safer when going about their day.”

Residents can obtain small quantities of rock salt for private use from the council's road depots located at Stanford Street in Clydebank or Elm Road in Dumbarton.