North Ayrshire’s drivers are being urged to stay safe on the roads as the colder weather arrives.

The council say its roads team are now on weather watch for any snow and ice forecasted over the winter period.

A squad of 35 drivers and 15 multi-purpose vehicles will be available 24/7 to keep the area’s priority routes in use throughout winter.

North Ayrshire Council is responsible for the majority of roads although trunk roads such as the A78, A737 and A738 are maintained and gritted by Transerv Scotland.

Some 7,000 tonnes of road salt is stocked at the council’s mainland storage depot in Kilwinning, with a further 1,600 tonne stockpile being kept at the depot at Brodick in Arran.

Salt is also stored at strategic points throughout the area for use by residents. There are approximately 500 grit bins and 15 larger community bins from which residents can collect salt for personal use on roads, driveways or footpaths.

David Hammond, Head of Commercial Services, said: “Our gritters were tested in a practice drill prior to winter to ensure they are primed to respond if the winter weather takes a turn for the worse. They have already been out and about carrying out precautionary salting.

“We have round-the-clock measures in place to keep our priority routes clear and keep North Ayrshire moving.”

Residents can search ‘Winter Gritting’ on www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/gritting for updates on gritting, where to find your nearest grit bin and advice on clearing snow and ice from public footways.