MOTORISTS have been left fuming at two months of lane closures on the busy Erskine Bridge set to begin this weekend.

Traffic will be reduced to one lane so maintenance teams can inspect supporting cables as part of a £210,000 project to “protect the long-term integrity” of the crossing.

The closure will be in place every Saturday and Sunday from 8am until 6pm until October 8 – with the exception of September 30 to October 1, due to other works on the A82.

More than 40,000 vehicles use the bridge on a daily basis and locals have predicted “chaos” during the works, which they fear will hit them hardest.

Barbara Campbell, who lives in Erskine, said: “I understand these are necessary repairs but it seems like Erskine is always going to suffer.

“I remember in the 1980s, it would take 20 minutes to get from Erskine to Glasgow on the M8 but now it can take over an hour.

“More effort needs to be made to keep people in Erskine rather than driving them away.

“It’s going to be absolute chaos when this work goes ahead.”

However, trunk road operator TranServ has assured motorists disruption will be minimal.

Temporary traffic management will be in place during weekend work hours, with the fast lane closed on each side of the Erskine Bridge.

TranServ estimates delays of around 15 minutes as a result of the closure.

Peter McCann, Scotland TranServ’s major bridges manager, said: “This is an essential project that will help protect the steel cables from corrosion for many years to come.”

Andy Fraser, Scotland TranServ’s operating company representative, added: “It is a constant challenge to balance the need to maintain the structure while reducing the impact of our works.

“Scotland TranServ will aim to deliver these long-term benefits to commuters, businesses and tourists alike with maximum efficiency and minimal disruption.”