Lanarkshire bus passengers face "significant disruption" on Glasgow journeys
First Bus have warned users of five local services that journey times will be affected by roadworks close to Buchanan bus station
Passengers using five bus services between Lanarkshire and Glasgow have been warned to expect 'significant disruption' for the next 18 months due to major roadworks impacting the city centre end of the journey.
First Bus has issued the warning to travellers using 19 different routes which start or end at Buchanan bus station, ahead of the installation from this Monday of temporary traffic lights and lane restrictions on North Hanover Street, beside the busy transport hub.
The Lanarkshire services highlighted are the company's 255, 263 and 267 services from Hamilton to Glasgow, along with the 240 and X11 respectively starting at Overtown and Newmains and both covering Wishaw and Motherwell.
First Bus officials say roadworks impacting the bus station in Glasgow – part of the city's major Avenues project to redesign 16 major streets with features including improved footpaths, cycle lanes, bus routes and landscaping – is 'expected to last for at least 18 months'.
Passengers using the affected routes to travel to or from the city centre are being asked to plan journeys in advance and allow extra travel time as 'buses may be caught in traffic due to the works'.
The 255 travels between Hamilton, Bothwell and Uddingston and Glasgow, while both the 263 and 267 cover Blantyre, Cambuslang and Rutherglen. The X11 passes through Netherton while the 240 also serves passengers in Craigneuk and Bellshill.
A spokesperson for First Bus said: 'We're committed to providing an efficient and reliable service for customers. Like any other road users, our buses are impacted by roadworks and circumstances out with our control.
'We support the end vision Glasgow city council are aiming to achieve with the modernisation of the city through the Avenues project – however, these works will cause significant disruption to bus services throughout the city centre.
'We wanted to issue notice in advance to support customers as far as possible and allow them to plan journeys. Further information can be found via our website, social channels and through our customer services team.'
First say their website at firstglasgow.com will be updated with details on impacted services, while their customer services team can be contacted on 0345 646 0707.
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