DRIVERS face major disruption in Greenock with the closure of one of town's busiest roads for FIVE MONTHS for a £1m bridge repair.

Dellingburn Street will shut for 20 weeks from Monday November 11 while Network Rail engineers carry out work to repair and strengthen the railway bridge near Morrisons.

Train users will also be affected as there will also be two weekends where no services will run.

Network Rail says the major refurbishment of the B788 bridge is being carried out to extend its lifespan and officials say this will 'keep the network safe and reliable'.

Workers will improve drainage and clear vegetation, strengthen girders, repair masonry, carry out blast cleaning and repair the metalwork, apply corrosion protection and paint the structure.

To deliver this work safely and efficiently, the road needs to close as Network Rail need to erect scaffolding and work on the structure.

Pedestrian and cycle access will be maintained throughout the road closure, which will take out a key route through town and cause significant traffic flow problems.

In addition to the disruption to the road network, there will be two weekends in January where the railway will be shut from close of service on Friday night until start of service on Monday morning.

This is to enable 54-hour continuous working.

Buses will replace trains on the weekends of January 4/5 and 11/12.

Jeremy Spence, Network Rail programme manager, said: “We know that Dellingburn Street is a busy road and an important route for local traffic and we do not take the decision to request its closure lightly.

“We understand the impact that this potentially will have for both road users and those communities adjacent to the bridge works.

"However, this is the most efficient and safest way to undertake the work required on the bridge.

“Delivering this work in just 20 weeks is a logistical challenge but we have planned the job carefully with our contractors and will complete it with the minimum possible inconvenience to the local community.”

Network Rail says it has worked with Inverclyde Council to put in place an appropriate ‘all vehicle’ diversion and all local access has been retained either side of the bridge to the industrial units and the nearby supermarket.

The diversion will run via Regent Street/Sir Michael Street/High Street/Dalrymple Street and Rue End Street.

In advance of the full road closure, Network Rail will have to carry out 'enabling works' to maintain safe access to Carnock Street and Morrisons supermarket during the work.

They say this will require lane closures on Dellingburn Street on approach to, and through the railway bridge.

These will restrictions will be in place from November 4-11.

* They are inviting motorists with any questions about the work to phone their 24-hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41.