Wandsworth residents will be getting free grit if cold weather freezes footpaths.

Although Londoners have enjoyed a spell of mild weather in recent weeks, temperatures will undoubtedly fall over the winter months so Wandsworth Council is offering residents up to 50 kilos of grit free of charge to help them clear frozen footpaths.

Last year, around 20 tonnes of grit were given to residents, community groups and neighbourhood watch co-ordinators.

When temperatures drop and roads and footpaths are covered in snow and ice, the council’s fleet of gritting vehicles and dozens of staff are dispatched to clear it away.

But with nearly 230 miles of road surface and 450 miles of pavements, it is a difficult task that always takes time to complete.

When there are cold and icy snaps, local people often contact the town hall to volunteer to clear paths in their neighbourhoods, which is why free grit is being offered to residents.

Residents who want to take advantage of the offer should visit the council depot in Dormay Street SW18 1EY between 9am and 12 noon on November 16 and November 23.

Residents will need to bring proof of address to show they live in Wandsworth.

The council is also supplying sacks of grit to Wandsworth’s 200 neighbourhood watch co-ordinators and filling up grit bins across the borough so that local people have an immediate stock close at hand.

There are now 55 of these bins located around the borough, situated mainly in hilly areas where icy pavements can be particularly treacherous.

When snow has fallen, the priority is to keep the borough’s main roads clear of ice so that the emergency services and public transport can keep running.

The council says particular attention is always paid to entrances at tube and rail stations, hospitals, day centres, schools, care homes, clinics and nurseries.

The gritting of borough red routes and their adjoining pavements is managed by Transport for London.

These include the A3, A24, A205, A214, A306, A3205 and A3220.