And you can now follow their progress – in real time – on our dedicated gritter tracking map.

Over the past couple of years we have invited local schoolchildren to name our gritters, and with the new map you can follow the likes of Snovid-19, Gritter Thunberg, Lewis Caploughdi, Salt Disnae, Oh Plougher of Scotland and Spready Mercury as they move around the area.

Chair of South Lanarkshire Council’s Community and Enterprise Resources Committee, Councillor John Anderson, said: “The gritter tracking map lets everyone see exactly where the gritters are at any given point in the day.

“Of course it’s important to point out that many of them are out making the roads safe for everyone while we are tucked up in our beds – so you may need to get up early if you want to see them in action! The map also shows the path they have taken in the last 12 hours.

“Although a fun and interactive way to see what is going on, it also sends an important message that our drivers are out there no matter how severe the weather.

“They deserve an immense amount of credit for their hard work, professionalism and dedication.”

When snow or ice is forecast, we grit 52% of our road network including all A-class roads and important access roads (e.g. hospitals, fire stations, isolated communities and schools. Typically, councils grit 48% of their networks, so we do more than many.

Every year the council use thousands of tonnes of salt. This year we expect our salt supplies to be around 35,000 tonnes as we enter the main winter season – five times the stock we held eight years ago. National salt shortages of the relatively recent past have shown that all councils have to be well prepared.

We have more than 150 winter road workers with access to our fleet of 39 gritters, one snowblower, 17 footpath tractors and five loaders to help them salt the roads, clear snow and keep roads and footpaths in as safe a condition as our resources permit. We also rely on the assistance of many colleagues in Land Services and mobilise farmers and contractors to assist when necessary.