Renfrew residents have been left to face an increasingly “perilous situation” caused by icy conditions and a lack of grit bins, an elected member has claimed.
Councillor Jamie McGuire has called for “decisive action” from Renfrewshire Council after sounding the alarm over the state of the town’s streets in recent days.
The Labour representative for Renfrew North and Braehead accused the local authority of an “apparent lack of preparedness” as he insisted people have been put at risk during the cold snap.
He said: “The recent adverse weather conditions in Renfrew have exposed a glaring issue: the alarming lack of grit bins across the area.
“This shortage, coupled with the council’s apparent lack of preparedness, left residents stranded in their homes, unable to safely navigate their neighbourhoods.
“In some cases, those who ventured out found themselves at significant risk, with many sustaining injuries after slipping and falling on untreated, icy pavements. This crisis demands immediate attention and decisive action to prevent such a situation from reoccurring.”
It comes after temperatures plummeted to below freezing in the area – the bitterly cold weather leaving a trail of precarious conditions in its wake.
Councillor McGuire added: “For many residents, the absence of grit bins is not just an inconvenience, it is a safety hazard. Icy roads and pavements rendered entire streets impassable, isolating individuals within their homes.
“Elderly and vulnerable residents, who rely heavily on safe access to essential services and support networks, were among those most severely impacted.
“For some, even a short journey to the shops or to visit family became a dangerous undertaking. The lack of grit bins exacerbated an already perilous situation, leaving many to feel abandoned by a system that should prioritise their safety and well-being.
“Particularly troubling is that some areas of Renfrew have no grit bins at all. This absence reflects a concerning lack of planning and foresight.
“The council’s failure to anticipate and mitigate the challenges posed by severe weather left residents without the tools they needed to ensure their own safety.
“A lack of grit bins meant that even those willing and able to clear pavements and roads were left powerless to do so. As a result, entire communities were left at the mercy of treacherous conditions.”
The politician believes a “drastic increase” in the amount of grit bins in Renfrew is needed, as well as a “more proactive approach” to winter preparedness.
Defending its approach, a council spokesperson responded: “Our Ready for Winter programme runs from October until May and is designed to keep Renfrewshire moving during adverse weather conditions.
“We have used nearly 1,750 tonnes of grit since October 1, 2024, to grit roads and fill Renfrewshire’s 540 grit bins, including 22 in Renfrew and a community grit bin at the Renfrew Household Waste Recycling Centre.
“In the first week of January, we worked around the clock to keep Renfrewshire moving, using 790 tonnes of salt. Our neighbourhood services teams treated town centre footways and building services treated footways at council care homes and sheltered accommodation. Routes to schools were also treated ahead of schools reopening.
“To find the location of your nearest grit bin or for more information on what to do in adverse weather conditions, visit the council website.”
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