Relief for motorists as the Drumgrew Bridge is set to reopen

A section of the B8048, which runs between Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch, has been closed since August 3, 2015, to enable the completion of the £2m bridge.

The work at Drumgrew Road is part of a series of projects across central Scotland to create extra height beneath bridges to allow overhead power cables to be installed as part of the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP).

A Scottish Government-funded investment worth £742m, EGIP is delivering a rolling programme of electrification across the central belt – reducing journey times and increasing capacity on routes by improving the infrastructure to enable faster, greener and more energy efficient trains.

Garry Murphy, Network Rail project manager, said: “Although we had hoped to have the bridge re-opened by the end of March the weather over the last few months has impacted on our programme.

“The timing of concrete pours and waterproofing works has unfortunately coincided with the coldest, wettest conditions meaning it has been impossibleto complete the work as planned.

“The reconstruction of the bridge at Drumgrew Road is a considerable undertaking, not least because much of the work has to be done at night to maintain train services during the day.

“We apologise for the disruption during this time for local communities and commuters but fully intend to have the road re-opened after the school spring holiday break.”

For further information on, visit www.egip.info