WORK to refurbish the rail bridge over Merrylee Road in Glasgow’s South Side is on track to complete by the end of the year.

Network Rail said the around £750,000 refurbishment of the bridge is designed to extend their lifespan and keep the network safe and reliable.

To deliver this work safely, however, one lane of Merrylee Road needs to close to enable Network Rail engineers to erect scaffolding and deliver work on the structure.

At the half-way point, the opposite lane will be closed.

Traffic lights will be in place throughout to control vehicle movements and pedestrian and cycle access will be maintained throughout the lane closures.

Work on the bridge, in the Cathcart area of the city, includes strengthening girders, repairing masonry, cleaning and repairing the metalwork, applying corrosion protection and painting. Part of the work involves ‘rivet-busting’ to remove old rivets, which is a particularly noisy activity and local residents have been advised.

Allison Flanagan, Network Rail programme manager, said: “We know that Merrylee Road is busy and an important route for local traffic. However, single lane closure means the road can stay open while we carry out the work safely and efficiently.

“Delivering this type of project in a constrained location 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.

“While we appreciate that working in local communities at night is not ideal, we will do everything we can to minimise the noise and complete this project as quickly as possible.

“We apologise to anyone living near the bridge who has been affected by this work and we thank you for your patience.”

If you have any questions about this work you can contact Network Rail’s 24 hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41. For latest information and progress updates follow on twitter @NetworkRailScot