Up to £4 million is to be invested to upgrade a railway bridge in Baillieston, Glasgow.

Work to demolish and rebuild the structure on Muirhead Road will get underway on Monday, 12 February.

The scheme involves raising the bridge parapets (side walls) to 1.8 metres to meet modern safety standards for an electrified railway.

Network Rail said a number of new properties to the south of the structure makes the current single lane bridge increasingly unsustainable and as it stands, the structure is no longer fit for purpose for the volume and weight of traffic which uses it on a daily basis.

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Demolition and initial reconstruction of the bridge will take place over three consecutive Sundays; 10, 17 and 24 March. Work to reconstruct the bridge will be fully complete in October 2018. Once finished, the new structure will enable two-way traffic, cycle routes and pedestrian footpaths on both sides.

Billy McKay, Network Rail's senior programme manager for the project, said: "The reconstructed bridge will deliver a stronger and wider bridge which will enable two way traffic, cycle routes and pedestrian footpaths on both sides. It will accommodate current weights and volumes of traffic and anticipates future growth.

"While we understand that the road closure is disruptive for local people in the short term, when the work is complete, the benefits of the enhanced bridge will be significant and enjoyed by the community for many years to come. We appreciate the patience of the local community while we carry out this important work."

(LM)