DRIVERS in Helensburgh and the surrounding area have been warned to expect "severe delays" of up to TWO HOURS because of resurfacing work near the Erskine Bridge later this month.

The southbound M898, from the Erskine Bridge south to the M8 motorway, will be completely closed for resurfacing between 8pm on Friday, November 30 and 6am on Monday, December 3.

Specialist traffic modelling contractors are predicting delays of around two hours at busy periods during the weekend.

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

But it's expected that the A726 through Erskine, the M8 at the St James Interchange, and Bishopton, Inchinnan, Renfrew, Erskine, Dumbarton, Old Kilpatrick, Bowling, Milton, Clydebank and Bearsden will be severely congested.

Northbound traffic heading over the Erskine Bridge towards Dumbarton and Helensburgh will not be affected.

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. Our expert traffic modelling contractor is predicting severe delays, and we would urge drivers to heed all such warnings.”

Live trunk road updates are available by following @trafficscotland on Twitter or visiting trafficscotland.org. Further details on an alternative route are available on the Scotland TranServ website.