Grinding to a halt

HELENSBURGH was almost cut off when every road in and out of the area was closed, blocked or snarled up with traffic.

Heavy snow on Wednesday night and through Thursday caused travel chaos which lasted until Friday.

The Haul Road, between Loch Lomondside and Garelochhead, is heavily used in the morning by personnel travelling to Faslane and Coulport but the thick blanket of snow on Thursday morning made the undulating road treacherous and after two cars were in collision the snow gates were shut and the road closed.

At the same time, the road from Whistlefield to Arrochar was also closed and remained shut until late afternoon.

An Argyll and Bute Council gritting lorry with a snow plough was coming down the steep access at Glen Douglas when it skidded off the road and came to rest against a tree.

The tree prevented the lorry from falling any further but, while it was not actually on the main road, it was decided to close the road in case the tree gave way and the lorry slipped down onto the main carriageway.

Early attempts to removed the heavy vehicle with a JCB failed and heavy lifting equipment was brought in to do the job and the road re-opened at 4.30pm.

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