Network Rail has announced the completion of works to replace a bridge on a key walking route over the railway near Balgray Reservoir in East Renfrewshire.

The £2.9m project saw the old concrete bridge, which had stood for around 50 years, demolished and replaced as it had neared the end of its natural lifespan.

Engineers demolished the old bridge and key parts of the superstructure were replaced over two consecutive Sunday-Monday line closures back in August 2023.

Early reconstruction saw the team work around the clock using a KIROW 1200, the largest rail-mounted crane in the UK, to lift the pre-cast concrete components into place whilst the railway between Cathcart and Neilston was closed.

Since then, contractor AmcoGiffen has been rebuilding the parapets, installing new surfacing with waterproofing, and landscaping the area around the structure. The reopening seamlessly joins the bridge to the existing footpath, reinstating the core path connecting Springfield Road to Balgray Reservoir.

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Susan Menmuir, Network Rail's scheme project manager, said: "Replacing the existing concrete bridge deck was necessary as it was gradually deteriorating and nearing the end of its lifespan.

"The new bridge will carry pedestrians and cyclists across the railway so it will be a great benefit to all those using the reservoir path and Dams to Darnley Country Park.

"By carrying out the main work over two consecutive Sundays and Mondays, we avoided disruption on Saturdays, which is now the busiest day for rail travel in Scotland."

Craig Milne, planning and logistics director at Network Rail Scotland, said "Trials were carried out after research showed that weekend and leisure travel has increased faster than traditional weekday commuter journeys since the pandemic. 

"We worked closely with ScotRail and data showed very busy Saturdays on this route, so it made sense to trial an alternative access strategy, closing the railway on Sunday and Monday and reopening on a Tuesday morning. 

"It demonstrates how working collaboratively can improve the passenger experience on Scotland's Railway, and we are reviewing the outcome of the trial and where potential further opportunities exist by using passenger data and information."