Community grit bins are set to be introduced in Renfrewshire’s rural areas as the council continues its winter preparations.

A total of 20 larger bins will be given to areas that are not on priority gritting routes, so members of the public can do their bit to keep roads and pavements safe.

There are also 540 regular grit bins across the area – 140 more than last winter.

Councillor Cathy McEwan, convener of Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, said: “It is of utmost importance that people are safe and able to travel during spells of particularly bad weather.

“The SNP has made that a priority and since we came into power, Renfrewshire Council has installed roughly 200 new grit bins across Renfrewshire to ensure people have easy access to grit.

“The plan also sets out our community grit bin initiative, which will see larger grit bins placed in key locations across our communities.

“While Renfrewshire’s gritters will be out all winter, last year many people approached me to say the would be happy to do gritting in their local areas – areas that are perhaps not on the priority gritting routes.

“These grit bins will allow people to prepare in advance by taking some grit away to store for bad weather.

“I think this is definitely the best approach to take considering the terrible weather we have seen in recent times.”