TRAINS between Dumbarton Central and Balloch will be replaced by buses over the weekend of September 16 and 17.

Travellers are being advised to check their journey times in advance as engineers begin the replacement of the deck of a bridge in Alexandria.

The timings of the replacement bus services may be different from normal train times with services from Balloch to Airdrie and Balloch to Motherwell and Larkhall beginning and terminating at Dumbarton Central station.

It follows last week’s news that motorists face seven weeks of diversions due to the closure of Bank Street in Alexandria from August 28 while the refurbishment of the bridge is underway.

Engineers are replacing the bridge deck, blast cleaning, repairing the metalwork and painting the structure.

The road has been closed due to being too narrow for vehicles to get past while the work is being done.

Rob Shorthouse, ScotRail Alliance communications director, said: “We know that having your regular journey changed can be a pain, but all this work really is going to be worth it.

“We are carrying out the biggest upgrade to the network since it was built in Victorian times and it will mean more seats, faster, more reliable journeys and more and better services.

“You can find out more about these changes and what it means for your own journey by visiting the ScotRail website or by downloading our free app.

“Even although your normal journey might be different while this work is going on, we will keep you moving.”