'Twas the nightmare before Christmas…

Sunday saw heavy snow throughout the district and Monday morning saw the first serious wintry weather of the season – and a miserable commute for those not yet on holiday.

One caller, who drove the Tighnabruaich road several times on Sunday, said that no attempt had been made to treat the road.
Dunoon town centre fared little better as people made their way to work on Monday. Although main roads had been effectively treated, many of the town’s side streets were extremely dangerous.
A car reportedly left the road on Pilot Street and had to be extracted from a garden.
On Tuesday afternoon a flurry of sleet turned into heavy snowfall and, while the children certainly had a great time, drivers and pedestrians alike were facing cautious journeys.
By evening even the main roads were extremely hazardous but, by morning, main routes were passable with ease.
Asked about prioritising particular roads and pavements for treatment, the council’s spokeswoman referred us to the Operational Services Department’s Winter Service Operational Plan, which is available from the council’s website.
It shows that the council has prioritised roads for treatment into four bands. The only priority 1 route in Cowal is the A815 Cairndow to Dunoon Ferry.
Bizarrely, main school bus routes are classed as priority three.
Commenting on the weather conditions over the first half of Christmas week, a council spokesman said: “Sleet and then heavy Snow hampered operations all day on Tuesday, resulting in many ‘repeat’ treatments.
“Crews continued to treat heavy snow from mid-afternoon onwards, with vehicles active right through until between 10 and 11pm.
“At 6am on Wednesday the Priority One route vehicle mobilised, as planned, to inspect A815 Dunoon - Cairndow road.
“The driver reported widespread frosty conditions and the supervisor mobilised the other six Priority 2 vehicles. All routes were active from 6.30am and continue to treat frozen slush and ice on the Priority 1,2 and 3 routes first.”

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