Traffic was brought to a standstill on at least one road during the recent cold snap as three lorries became stranded on an icy patch of country lane.

Three HGVs from the R.T . Keedwell Group hauliers were stranded for more than two hours as they attempted to navigate the narrow winding road between Auchinleck and Cronberry on the morning of Monday, December 28.

A milk truck was also caught up in the jam.

Mark, who lives in a house just off of the road caught it all on camera. He said that he was not surprised the vehicles had become stranded, saying that “gritters have been very absent from this road and the dip by the burn is notorious.”

He said it was the same every year, with the area very rarely gritted.

The gritters did eventually make an appearance allowing the vehicles to escape their predicament around 1pm.

Mark also questioned the lack of grit bins in the area, saying that one of the drivers had sought his help and asked if there were any nearby.

Questions have been raised as to why these vehicles were on the road in the first place, their huge bulk perhaps more suitable for a wider road.

The Ayrshire Roads Alliance, led by East Ayrshire Council, grit roads, with “A” and “B” class roads given priority.

They are responsible for over 2461 km of carriageway and over 1971 km of footway/footpath. They say that they are unable to carry out gritting on every road, because of a lack of manpower and financial resources to treat every stretch of road.

Grit bins can be requested via the East Ayrshire Council website.

Kevin Braidwood, Head of Roads, Ayrshire Roads Alliance advised:

“We are aware of this incident, which occurred last week. This road is a P2 and was treated today in line with the terms of ARA’s policy for treating priority routes.”

Below is an extract from the policy:

Given the presence of ice or snow on roads and a forecast that these conditions will last for a period longer than it would take to treat the roads, appropriate treatment may take place to cover the following:

Priority 2 routes to be treated as resources permit when sub-zero temperatures are forecast to continue to last beyond midday, following completion of Priority 1 routes.

Priority 2 – Secondary distributor roads, including B class roads not included on Priority 1 routes, local distributor roads in residential areas