Rural Stirling residents were left facing difficulty getting to and from their properties for four days after last week’s cold snap and snowfall.
Locals and businesses in Inversnaid and Stronachlachar say they were cut off after treacherous road conditions meant that there was no way in or out between Friday and Monday.
Stirling saw its first snowfall of the winter on Friday. That led to the B829 – the route between Aberfoyle to both communities – becoming covered with snow under which ice had formed.
Residents there say Stirling Council ploughs and gritters only treated the route as far as Kinlochard – meaning those trying to travel beyond Kinlochard to Inversnaid and Stronachlachar were faced with dangerous slippy driving conditions.
Strathard Community Councillor Trevor Geraghty says that the communities were “abandoned” and that there were no ploughs or gritters in the area, leaving it “cut-off” despite calls to the council’s emergency line.
Mr Geraghty added: “I travelled to Aberfoyle earlier in my four wheel drive car to get food and it took me an hour to do 10 miles and I watched the “magic snowplough” clearing the invisible snow up to Kinlochard again meanwhile this (pictured) is what I slipped through again for another hour home.
“If Stirling Council want to admit that they have abandoned remote and rural communities then maybe the current administration should be honest about this, but for folks trying to survive what will be four days of being cut off is unacceptable.
“There are multiple pensioners living alone and single parents with young children, meanwhile Stirling Council has money to clean roads with less snow than my kitchen.”
The Observer understands that Stirling Council ploughs and gritters did finally treat the route at around 10.30am on Monday. It’s understood that the B820 beyond Kinlochard is not regarded as a priority road and as a result was initially not treated during the cold snap until the issue was raised.
The owner of Scott & Wattie Cottages in Stronachlachar said that the length of time taken to clear the route was “not acceptable”.
In an email to the Trossachs and Teith ward councillor Martin Earl prior to the route being cleared on Monday, Alexandra Docherty said: “Whilst I appreciate that on day one the council would prioritise the major routes, there has been no assistance to our community meaning we are unable to get in or out.
“I have seen photos of the gritters and ploughs which stopped at Kinlochard. Evidence has also been presented whereby the councils’ vehicles have parked up and sat at Kinlochard refusing to travel further along the road to Inversnaid/Stronachlachar. Can you explain the reasoning for this? We have literally been abandoned by the council.
“We are taxpayers paying into the system. In fact, as of next year I will be paying an extra 2p per pound vs the rest of the UK into the Scottish Government – I have to question what I am getting for that. The council seems set on cherry-picking where they prioritise their focus, I would also propose that we as a community withhold a percentage of our taxes as to how we see fit ie what services you as a council provide.
“All the holiday cottages will be full in Stronachlachar and beyond from early next week when I believe more snow is expected, hence this needs to be addressed now. Will it take a serious accident before we see any action?”
A Stirling Council spokesperson said: “We acknowledge the disruption that the weather conditions over the weekend caused across the area despite the incredible efforts of our gritting teams who worked round the clock to keep priority routes open.
“Our gritting teams faced hugely challenging conditions, even on top priority routes, and the conditions on this particular road became a safety risk for our staff.
“We can confirm that our teams have returned to the area and made this route passable, and we’d like to thank residents across Stirling for their patience and understanding during the hazardous wintry weather last week.”
