Misery is set to be heaped upon commuters as residents in Bonhill suffer a loss of bus provision.
It has been confirmed that Scottish Power works on the A813 Stirling Road will result in the suspension of the 206 and 1E services.
The utility giant is set to cut off the vital artery serving as a link between Bonhill — and communities on the River Leven’s eastern bank — and Dumbarton.
First Glasgow will suspend the services, two of only three serving the isolated New Bonhill community, for the duration of the six-week road closure.
Scottish Power have angered the area’s MSP Jackie Baillie by refusing to provide cash backing to draft in a charter shuttle bus to provide a link between stricken communities and the towns of Alexandria or Dumbarton.
Residents have hit out at the plan, branding it “very poor”.
Jack Fordy of Bonhill and Dalmonach Community Council told the Lennox Herald: “I’m absolutely flabbergasted by this. I thought First would reroute their services via Renton.
“I’m completely taken aback. It’s very, very poor that services are just withdrawn. I’m concerned about some of these road closures. They never seemed to happen in the past and efforts were made to keep roads open during works.”
He added: “I really think they need to look again at this.”
And the Labour MSP has also hit out at West Dunbartonshire Council, whom she says has a duty to make sure disruption caused by works given their authorisation is minimal.
The community is the second to have public transport withdrawn as a result of roadworks hampering commuters and motorists, after Silverton residents were left cut off by major Scottish Gas works.
Furious Jackie commented: “We have already seen the chaos caused by road works on Glasgow Road which stopped bus services.
“That was Scottish Gas Networks, this time it is Scottish Power but West Dunbartonshire Council has responsibility for making sure that the disruption caused is minimal.
“It is essential, especially for elderly and disabled people, that a bus service in Bonhill can be retained during the six weeks Stirling Road is set to be closed. Providing no public transport provision for residents is simply not an option.”
Ms Baillie has had crunch talks with public transport regulator SPT, who confirmed that they had entered discussion with Scottish Power about funding alternative provision but could not reach a compromise. The only bus left serving Bonhill estates at all will be the once hourly 207 Garelochhead Coaches subsidised service, which does not run after 6pm or on Sundays.
First’s 206 service is the main provision for public transport in Bonhill, while their 1E service runs from Balloch to Glasgow at peak hours only, to serve workers.
In communications seen by the Lennox, First Glasgow advise that they are posting “advance notification” of “works that will have a significant impact on local bus services in the Bonhill area”.
The letter goes on to warn: “This will effectively leave most parts of Bonhill without a bus service”.
Stirling Road, currently restricted by temporary traffic lights, is scheduled to close completely for six weeks from August 12.
A West Dunbartonshire Council spokeswoman said: “The council works closely with utility companies to minimise disruption to residents during all essential maintenance and repairs.
“On this occasion, there was no alternative to a road closure due to insufficient safe working zones.
“In planning these works, Scottish Power held meetings with the council, police and McGills Coaches, and SPT were also invited to attend.”
