If only it was as easy to ensure our roads were prepared for the cold mornings to come when frost, ice and snow can create the most treacherous conditions.

The last few winters have been severe and the first cold snap has come earlier than expected with motorists on some roads stranded by snow and transport networks brought to a shivering halt.

It is good to see that plans are in place early and that the council's fleet of gritters and their hardy drivers are ready to roll out to the streets at the first sign of this year's winter.

Of course plans have been made every year, but the moment of truth will be when those plans need to be implemented and the test will be whether they are robust enough to keep the city moving.

Many agencies are involved in being prepared for winter, and with roads, railways and motorways across the country needing to be kept open it is no mean feat.

However, if lessons have been learned from the previous few years then we should have enough grit, salt, gritters and staff to cope with the winter and all it has to throw at us.

After all, winter should come as a surprise to no-one.