Drivers ‘will face two-hour delays’ during Erskine Bridge works

Drivers will face severe delays around the Erskine Bridge during roadworks at the end of this month.

Scotland TranServ will resurface 1.2kmof the M898 southbound between the bridge and the M8.

The £400,000 project will see that section closed from 8pm on Friday November 30 until 6am Monday December 3.

James McLean, the company’s principal network design engineer, said: “This is an important trunk road connecting a number of communities with Glasgow and the central belt.

“In order to keep disruption to a minimum for the 40,000 commuters and freight drivers using the route every weekday, we’re proposing to carry out work over the weekend.

“Works have also been specifically scheduled outwith the peak tourism season, avoiding school holiday periods and ahead of the winter.

“To complete such an extensive resurfacing programme, while minimising the impact, we will require the full weekend. The short programme of work has been developed in consultation with emergency services, key stakeholders, elected members and local authorities”

There will be a diversion route in place but drivers are urged to consider alternative transport plans for that weekend.

The company says that its specialist traffic modelling contractor is forecasting severe delays – in the region of two hours – affecting the A82 southbound.

The A726, M8 at St James Interchange and the surrounding communities of Bishopton, Inchinnan, Renfrew, Erskine, Dumbarton, Old Kilpatrick, Bowling, Milton, Clydebank and Bearsden are also expected to be extremely congested.

M898 Northbound traffic will not be affected by the works throughout the duration of the weekend.

Paul Lynch, Scotland TranServ’s network manager, added: “The carriageway is deteriorating rapidly and to avoid the necessity of an unplanned repair programme, it is better that we can act now, with support from local authorities, stakeholders and emergency services to carefully schedule these works to minimise impacts as far as possible on the surrounding communities and businesses.

“Our advice to drivers is to avoid the affected routes during that weekend, seek alternative travel arrangements, or use public transport where possible.”