The two occupants of the vehicle were described by Tayside Police as ‘walking wounded’ and, after being made aware of the incident, Angus Council gritters were sent to treat the road surface.

Two weeks ago, when the first cold snap hit Angus, a driver lost control on the Balmachie road and his car ended up on its roof in a field.

The Carnoustie to Lower Balmachie road, which allows access to the A92 but only for traffic heading west, was downgraded to non-priority status in October in recognition of the fact the main connection between Carnoustie and the new A92 dual carriageway is now via the grade-separated junction at Muirdrum.

Priority routes in Angus are gritted or cleared of snow each day as required, with the process starting between 5 and 9am, depending on the weather.

These routes are given extended winter maintenance and are treated before non-priority routes are attended to.

Non-priority routes are gritted once the priority routes have been attended to, with this process being carried out between 7.30am and 4pm.

Mrs McMahon said, “I suppose this situation comes down to money at the end of the day. That said, I think it is unacceptable a stretch of road which is always busy in the morning, with people leaving Carnoustie to head to Dundee for their work, should have been downgraded to what is effectively second-class status.

“I know the council have to prioritise their gritting and winter maintenance programmes, but I believe the recent accidents on the Balmachie road should mean the position is looked at again.

“The winter is only just starting and, if the forecasters are to be believed, we are in for one of the coldest in living memory. That means the roads are going to become more and more treacherous.S

“We can all understand the reasoning behind this road being downgraded to non-priority status, and the redevelopment of the A92 has undoubtedly been of great benefit to motorists in the area, but I don’t think the decision should be set in stone.”