A TRUE grit taskforce has been working around the clock to keep everyone moving in Inverclyde.

Roads boss Steven Walker says his dedicated crews have been working back-to-back shifts as wintry weather bites.

Snow and ice caused problems for commuters in Inverclyde this week and the area is on amber alert until tomorrow.

Mr Walker, the council’s roads service manager, says his men have been out in the afternoon, the evening and again from midnight.

He said: “On Monday we were faced by very difficult conditions.

“We had snow, ice and freezing rain, which washed the grit away, and snow again.

“We have been on standby since October and we we are well prepared.

“We had already been treating the roads with grit at 3pm, in the evening and from midnight onwards.”

On Tuesday the council utilised five snowploughs, two tractor ploughs and called in help from local contractors — including farmers.

Meanwhile other workers used three tipper lorries to replenish grit bins and ground maintenance staff used hand gritters. It was all hands on deck again yesterday after heavy snowfall overnight, especially in higher areas.

A mountain of more than 2,000 tonnes of rock salt has been scattered onto roads this winter, with another 1,000 tonnes ordered for next week to replenish supplies.

This has been distributed by a hard-working team of 34 roads staff working back-to-back shifts from midday to midnight.

The crews have a fleet of eight gritter/snow ploughs, three hand-gritting lorries and a 4x4 vehicle at their disposal.

These teams are backed up by more than 70 grounds maintenance staff and street sweepers, who grit footpaths across the area.

The back-up crews also have 17 vehicles and three lorries for hand gritting, three tractor/snow ploughs and 16 pedestrian grit spreaders.

Councillor Michael McCormick, convener of the environment and regeneration committee, has praised the council workers going out in difficult conditions.

He said: “It is all too easy to take for granted the work that is done to keep Inverclyde moving. I’d like to thank everyone involved for their effort, much of which goes unseen.

“Every year they work incredibly hard and around the clock to maintain key services and keep main roads open and safe and, where possible, minor routes as well."