PLANS to add almost 300m through Cardross to the Helensburgh to Dumbarton cycle route have been put on hold until the springtime.

Work was planned to add a further stretch of 285m, linking the village railway station to the Geilston Burn, in October.

But a report has revealed that the work has been delayed due to staff changes within Argyll and Bute Council’s roads service.

The document was discussed at the recent Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee.

Pippa Milne, executive director of development and infrastructure services, said: “The strategic transportation team is working to ensure that it is delivered within this financial year, whether by the council’s roads service or by an external contractor.

“Due to a range of factors, in particular difficulties in obtaining the land required and changes in council staff, progress to date has been slow.

“To date 1.6km of phase one, out of a total distance of 5.2km, linking Helensburgh and Cardross has been constructed.

“Within Cardross, a further 785m section has been constructed linking Cardross Railway Station to Ferry Road.

“To date, none of the 2.9km of phase two, linking Cardross with Dumbarton has been constructed, although West Dunbartonshire Council confirm they have completed construction of the section of the route up to their boundary.”

However, it has been refuted that landowners are holding up the sale of the land needed for further sections of the path to be built.

The minutes of Cardross Community Council’s November meeting stated: “William Laird said that as a landowner, he has agreed a route with Argyll and Bute Council but has not yet had an offer for the affected land.”

It also stated that another land owner, William Cullen, had been contacted in June 2017, but had heard nothing further since.