Mystery surrounds plans to shut a stretch of the main road between Dumbarton and Helensburgh for three weekends next month.

Signs have appeared next to the busy A814 on Cardross Road, at the west end of Dumbarton, warning motorists of the closures during July.

The signs advise that the road will be shut on the weekends of July 8-9, July 14-15, and July 22-23.

Scottish Gas Networks (SGN) is already carrying out work in the area.

West Dunbartonshire Council says SGN is behind the planned closures - but the infrastructure company has denied this.

The closures will mean motorists heading between Dumbarton and Helensburgh will have to use the A818 and A82 while the A814 is shut - with the potential for major disruption in the event of an unforeseen closure of the A82. 

One Cardross resident contacted our sister title the Helensburgh Advertiser to voice concern that some drivers might use the Carman Hill road between Cardross and Renton as a potential alternative route - though that road is not suitable for larger vehicles.

A West Dunbartonshire Council spokesperson said: "The works are being carried out by SGN and West Dunbartonshire Council are just facilitating the works."

However, SGN have confirmed that it is not behind the major works that will apparently see the A814 closed.

According to the Scottish Road Works Commissioner's website, SGN is carrying out 'high impact work' at three locations on Cardross Road in Dumbarton - between Hawthorn Avenue and Westcliff, east of Kyle Terrace, and at Talisman Avenue.

Those works began on April 16 and are due to be completed by July 15.