We are encouraging residents to plan ahead and be ready for any severe weather in the coming months.

Information and advice is available on our web site. This includes action to avoid condensation, frozen and burst pipes, cold weather payments, travel advice, what to do in the event of a power cut, and consumer advice.

There’s also details of the council’s policy on gritting roads and pavements. Daily gritting actions and updates on weather and council services are also available @nlcwinter on X.

“The winter weather impacts on us all – whether it’s keeping our homes warm and safe, travelling in the cold and dark, or keeping the kids entertained when it’s pouring outside,” said Councillor Helen Loughran, Convener of the Environment and Climate Change Committee.

“By taking some time now to plan ahead, we can make be prepared when the winter weather arrives. For example, keep a supply of essential items, like non-perishable food and medicines, at home, and an emergency kit in your car.

“During winter, the council’s priority is to keep main roads and primary footpaths clear for emergency services and residents travelling to and from work and schools by car or bus safely and to allow shops and businesses to operate. With our partner HOCHTIEF, the council’s gritting fleet is now on standby.”

As the council does not have the capacity to treat residential streets, grit bins are available in communities across North Lanarkshire for residents to keep their local paths and streets clear.

Salt is available at Household Waste Recycling Centres and at 14 locations within communities: Ian Nicholson Centre, Chryston; Salsburgh Community Centre; Shotts Leisure Centre; Burnhead Community Centre, Viewpark; Wishaw Sports Centre; Pivot Centre, Moodiesburn; Airdrie Leisure Centre; Sir Matt Busby Sports Centre, Bellshill; Time Capsule, Coatbridge; Croy park and ride; Newmains Community Trust Centre; Broadwood Leisure Centre, Cumbernauld; Kilsyth Sports Centre; and Aquatec, Motherwell.

Community resilience packs are available for voluntary organisations to use in their local areas, in the event of severe weather. The packs include items such as first aid kits, torches, snow shovels, foil blankets, gloves and high-vis vests. To discuss how these packs can be obtained please contact communitymatters@northlan.gov.uk

When severe weather is forecast, priority roads - ‘A’, ‘B’ and some ‘C’ roads, main roads in the vicinity of schools, access roads to hospitals, ambulance depots, main police stations and fire stations, and main bus routes - are treated.

The primary path network - urban shopping areas and main pedestrian routes remote from carriageways which link major residential, commercial, industrial and educational facilities - are treated before the morning rush hour.

The A725 and A8 trunk roads and the M73, M8, M80 and M74 motorways are maintained by the Scottish Government and information is available at www.traffic.gov.scot/