NETWORK Rail has claimed that the “majority” of its work on Barrhead Train Station bridge will be completed by this weekend.

Weeks of misery have plagued Barrhead’s commuters, business owners, pedestrians and pensioners since the closure in February.

The road has been completely shut to all traffic, diverting buses away from Paisley Road and customers away from Cross Arthurlie Street shops.

Some business owners had reported losing as much as £600 a day as their passing trade dropped to almost nothing.

And rumours that a delay was on the cards fed fears of some shops closing.

However a spokesman for Network Rail has said that almost all of the work is now complete.

He said: “The works are progressing to schedule and we anticipate that contracts will begin moving off site this weekend.

“The major structural works are all but completed and it is now a case of painting the structure and removing the supporting scaffolding.

“The works represent a £1 million investment, and it would not have been possible to carry out the work while keeping the road open.

“For everyone’s safety the decision was taken to close the road in both directions.”

Shops on Cross Arthurlie Street issued a combined plea to the community last month, and started a petition signed by more than 17 local businesses calling on more to be done to boost footfall on the street.

Rumours had been circulating that the project could be delayed by as much as two months.

One source even claimed that an August finishing date was possible.

However, Network Rail again dismissed the claims, with the spokesman saying: “The road closure was granted until May 9, according to the site’s project manager everything is progressing as planned and the works are still on schedule to be completed on time.”

Barrhead’s Business Improvement District also issued a call for residents to remember that their local shops were still open.