Islington’s gritters are out on the streets after temperatures fell below zero this weekend.

Around 24 vehicles are gritting highways, roads and footways with 500 tonnes of salt and grit, to keep Islington moving this winter.

The council’s winter service plan is being rolled out to keep the borough safe for residents in colder weather.

Council staff are standing by – including street sweepers who become gritters in snowy weather – to help clear roads and pavements across the borough.

Residents are also invited to get involved and help to keep roads and pavements clear of ice and snow. Over 300 grit bins have been refilled and are ready for use.

Islington Council’s executive member for environment and transport, Cllr Claudia Webbe, said: “As the weather starts to get colder, our winter service plan will make sure that Islington’s streets are safe for its residents.

“Our gritters will be out on the streets so that everyone can go about their day to day activities as normal.

“Residents are invited to make use of the 300 public grit bins available around the borough and clear pavements and walkways where possible.

“Please do what you can to help vulnerable relatives and neighbours as the weather gets colder.

“To find out more about the council’s winter road treatment programmes and advice on clearing snow and ice, please visit www.islington.gov.uk/gritting.” 

The council will receive three weather updates throughout the day from the Met Office. Priority routes, including those near hospitals, fire and ambulance stations, schools and main roads, will be gritted as soon as freezing weather is forecast.

If the winter is severe, the borough can call on a stockpile of 500 tonnes of grit and salt, with plans for regular resupply, and can draw on London-wide reserves of 27,000 extra tonnes of salt, with mutual aid arrangement between boroughs.