The summer holidays may seem like only yesterday but already preparations are well under way to keep the roads network clear this winter.
And while the equipment used for gritting and ploughing the streets remains the same as last year, the winter maintenance team’s motto is to “prepare for any eventuality”.
Dougie McKay, of Tayside Contracts, is in charge of more than 100 workers who ensure the roads are clear of ice and snow.
He said: “We need to be ready to deal quickly with snowfall and freezing conditions and you can’t predict how these things will happen.
“We have to make sure we are prepared for that regardless of how severe the weather is — it’s not a case of taking in less or more salt based on previous years.
“As we’ve seen in the past, Mother Nature is wildly unpredictable. In a very short period of time, the whole of Dundee can be covered in snow.”
Dougie has responsibility for 44 vehicles to keep the streets clear and a reserve fleet of eight heavy-duty tractors on stand-by.
The equipment boasts some smart technology, including automatic gritter dispensers, which are programmed to disperse the salt where it is most needed, making the job more efficient.
While December and January tend to be the busiest time of year for the team, Dougie said their work often goes unnoticed by the public.
He said: “People think we are only busy when there is a lot of snow and during the peak of winter but that’s not the case.
“Our fleet is often going out late at night or early in the morning.
“We are making sure the roads are in a drivable condition and that work generally extends right through into April.”
Dougie said that one of the major changes in how the service is delivered has been sharing information with the public.
He said: “We get updates from Dundee City Council and act on those instructions.
“The council will try to keep the public updated with any road closures.
“Our routes are all listed on a priority system, based on how busy the road is, and if it serves a facility like a school or hospital, or links to a major housing area.
“But experience tells us we really need to be prepared for any situation.”