ROADWORKS set to close a busy stretch of the A82 have been rescheduled amid warnings of "chaos" for local motorists.

Trunk road maintenance firm Amey announced on Wednesday that the A82 at Howgate Bridge, between the Stoneymollan and Lomondgate roundabouts, was due to close for three consecutive nights this weekend.

The closures would have taken place between 8pm and 6am each night, with both the northbound and southbound carriageways completely shut between Stoneymollan and Lomondgate.

But the work has now been rescheduled after it was realised that it would have coincided with a weekend-long closure of the southbound Erskine Bridge.

The bridge's southbound carriageway is due to shut for roadworks - also being carried out by Amey - from 8pm tonight (Friday, October 27) until 6am on Monday, October 30.

Southbound traffic will be diverted along the A82 to Anniesland Cross and then the A739 to either the Clydeside Expressway, for Glasgow city centre, or the Clyde Tunnel to rejoin the M8.

After learning of the Howgate Bridge works, local MSP Jackie Baillie wrote to Amey urging a rethink - warning that constituents from across Dumbarton, the Vale of Leven, Helensburgh and Lomond faced "chaos" as a result of the double closures.

Ms Baillie said: "While I appreciate that these roadworks are not adjacent to each other, they do both affect people travelling to and from Dumbarton, the Vale of Leven, Balloch, Helensburgh and Lomond.

"To have two roads within the same travel area closed at the same time, I believe, is a recipe for chaos.

"These routes are vital to people from within these communities, and also provide access to a functioning A&E, whether that be at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley or the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.

"I appreciate that work may be urgent but I would ask that you please take cognisance of this and ensure that the closures are not over the same period."

Amey has now confirmed that the work on the A82 will not take place this weekend.

A spokesperson said: "New dates will be communicated in due course. We apologise for any inconvenience."

Ms Baillie said: “The combination of the proposed road closures by Amey would have caused substantial traffic disruption. Both of these sets of roadworks were organised by them and they should have been aware of the problems this would cause.

“I am glad that the concerns I raised have been taken into account and the decision was made to reschedule the Howgate Bridge closure. Common sense has prevailed.

“The roads infrastructure around this area is fragile and this could have caused serious problems for people getting to where they need to be, including to access emergency hospital treatment.

“I hope lessons can be learned from this which would have been a recipe for chaos if it had gone ahead.”