In March, the Reporter revealed First Glasgow was holding back from making a decision on replacing the popular McGill’s 204X service because of traffic congestion issues in Dumbarton High Street.

McGill’s withdrew all commercial services from the area in November last year, including the 204X, which took passengers from the area to Glasgow.

As reported last week, a trial one-way system for Dumbarton town centre is to be introduced from this Sunday.

Now, First has confirmed it will be monitoring the trial closely, and it could have a bearing on its services in the area.

A spokeswoman told the Reporter: “Following the introduction of the traffic management scheme we will monitor its impact and review all of our services in the Dumbarton area.” However, one local bus campaigner remains unconvinced. Brian Ronald, of Community Projects in West Dunbartonshire (CPWD) has led the calls for a replacement service since McGill’s first announced they intended to axe it last year.

Mr Ronald said: “I don’t think they are saying anything different than what they have said before. I just feel that First Bus are fobbing us off.

“First has said the major problem is congestion on the high street which I understand, and they are now talking about reviewing all their services — it’s one service we’re talking about here.” Operator McGill’s announced last August it would be withdrawing all commercial services from the area and closing its Dumbarton depot because it was no longer financially viable to maintain routes in Dumbarton, the Vale and Clydebank.

Brian continued: “What I’d like to know is something positive – are they going to resurrect the 204X or are they not, it’s one or the other.

“I’m so close to pulling the plug on the campaign because I can’t get an answer to that from First. There’s been no real progress since last year.

“My group is trying to run campaigns for the benefit of the community but I feel with this one I’m hitting my head against a brick wall.”