Network Rail has finished replacing a bridge on a key walking route over the railway near Balgray Reservoir in East Renfrewshire.

The project cost £2.9m project, and involved replacing the fifty-year-old concrete bridge. Engineers demolished the old bridge and replaced key parts of the superstructure over two consecutive Sunday-Monday line closures in August 2023.

The team worked night and day using a KIROW 1200, the largest rail-mounted crane in the UK, to lift pre-cast concrete components into place whiled the railway was closed.

Once the components were in place, contractor AmcoGiffen rebuilt the parapets, installed new surfacing with waterproofing, and landscaped the surrounding area. The new bridge joins with the existing footpath, and brings back the core path that connects Springfield Road to Balgray Reservoir.

This project saw Network Rail carry out planned engineering works midweek for the first time in Scotland, having trialled it on the East Coast Main Line in summer 2023.

Balgray is also to benefit from a new station.

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.”