WORK on a railway bridge in Glasgow is set to begin – and local residents have been warned it will be noisy.

Network Rail will be working on the rail bridge spanning the A8 at Saltmarket, near Glasgow Cross, for more than a year, from August 15 until September 2023.

The £3.8 million investment will include essential repairs to extend the lifespan of the bridge, as part of Network Rail’s commitment to running a safe and reliable railway.

The wrought-iron structure on the City Union Line is more than 150 years old and provides a route for freight traffic and a diversion route for passenger trains to Shields Depot, where they are stabled and cleaned.

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Residents and businesses in the area have been advised of the work, which will involve noisy “rivet-busting” and “grit-blasting” activities, as well as metalwork repairs and painting.

Suzanne McKay, scheme project manager at Network Rail, said: “Vital maintenance and renewals work such as the work at Saltmarket bridge helps Network Rail continue to run a safe and reliable railway throughout Glasgow and the surrounding areas.

“This essential work will not only greatly improve the look of the 150-year-old structure but will extend its lifespan for up to two decades.

“We appreciate the impact our activity will have on those living closest to the bridge and while we will do all we can to minimise this, we are limited in terms of what measures can be put in place to mitigate against some of the nosier elements generated by the heavier engineering.

“We are grateful to the community for their patience while we complete this vital improvement work.”

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A community drop-in event is being held on August 17 and 18 at 15 Osborne Street, G1 5QN, from 3.30pm to 7pm.

It will offer an opportunity for people to meet members of the project team and find out more about the work.

Anyone with questions about the work can contact Network Rail’s 24-hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41.