Gritting in winter weather

What the council does

We’re responsible for maintaining public local roads and footpaths in Renfrewshire.

During winter weather, our gritting vehicles are available 24 hours a day to:

• grit roads
• use ploughs to remove snow from roads.

If the weather is severe, we’ll prioritise certain areas over others, including:

• routes serving hospitals and health centres
• access to schools and community centres
• town centre pedestrian areas in Paisley, Johnstone and Renfrew
• other high-traffic pedestrian areas, such as sports centres.

Depending on how severe or widespread the winter weather is, we cannot always grit smaller residential roads and footpaths.

What Transport Scotland does

Transport Scotland is responsible for motorways and trunk roads in Renfrewshire. We do not grit these roads.

What you can do

Use a grit bin

We maintain grit bins across Renfrewshire for anyone to use.

You can use the rock salt from these bins to grit:

• residential streets
• footpaths
• driveways.

Gritting is more effective before there’s any ice or snow, not after.

Find your nearest grit bin using our online map

You can top up a smaller grit bin or your own supply by taking rock salt from the large grit bins at:

• Bishopton: community centre car park
• Bridge of Weir: Livery Walk car park
• Brookfield: Albert Drive
• Crosslee: car park at Crosslee shops
• Elderslie: car park at village hall
• Erskine: Household Waste Recycling Centre on Barrhill Road or the car park to the rear of the library
• Houston: Carrick Centre car park
• Howwood: Village Hall car park
• Inchinnan: playing fields car park opposite the primary school
• Johnstone: Household Waste Recycling Centre on Miller Street or the car park of Floor Street Industrial Estate
• Kilbarchan: next to the clock tower at Steeple Hall on Steeple Street
• Langbank: footpath next to the tennis courts
• Linwood Household Waste Recycling Centre on Middleton Road
• Lochwinnoch: McKillop Centre car park
• Paisley: Household Waste Recycling Centre on Underwood Road or Glenburn Community Centre car park
• Renfrew: Household Waste Recycling Centre on Haining Road or the car park of Kirklandneuk Community Centre.

Tell us if we need to refill a grit bin

Tell us if we need to refill a grit bin

Report a road that needs clearing

If there’s heavy snowfall, report a road that needs clearing by phoning us on 0300 300 0300 and selecting option 2.

Get free gritting supplies

We can provide you with free gritting supplies, including:

• grit spreaders
• snow shovels
• gloves
• a storage unit to keep a supply of gritting salt at your home.

Email us at litterpicks@renfrewshire.gov.uk to ask for free gritting supplies.

Prepare for winter or severe weather

Read our full guide on how to prepare for winter or severe weather, which covers:

• snow and ice
• flooding
• frozen pipes
• fallen trees.