TWO key roads in Helensburgh and Lomond are among the 'top priority' gritting routes for Argyll and Bute Council in the event of cold weather this winter.

The A814 between Dumbarton and Garelochhead and the A818 between Helensburgh and the Arden roundabout are two of the local authority's five 'priority one' routes for gritting – meaning they could receive 24-hour attention should a prolonged cold spell strike the area.

Routes classified as 'priority two' include three stretches of road in the Helensburgh and Lomond area – the A814 from Garelochhead to Arrochar, the A817 Haul Road between Loch Lomond and Garelochhead, and the B833 around the Rosneath peninsula.

The priority routes are listed in the council's winter service policy for 2017-18, approved by the authority's environment, development and infrastructure committee on September 7.

The policy also states that footways and footpaths “will only be treated, in periods of lasting hazards, when the duty manager, in consultation with area staff, considers that their physical condition makes it necessary and treatments will be effective” and says: “They will usually only be treated during normal working hours.”