THE Erskine Bridge will be fully open to traffic this weekend after work on the bridge's lighting towers was completed ahead of schedule.

The upgrade to the lighting on the bridge saw the outside lanes closed to traffic last Saturday and Sunday, and the same closures were due to apply on the weekend of September 24 and 25.

But Scotland TranServ has announced that an early finish to the work means this weekend's restrictions will no longer be in place.

Principal contractor Lightways replaced four aircraft navigation lights and their support brackets, and removed nine redundant lighting columns in preparation for new columns.

In addition, a number of existing lanterns, plates to cover tower utility cables and lighting sockets were also replaced along with a Traffic Scotland CCTV camera on the tip of the south tower.

Andy Fraser, operating company representative for Scotland TranServ, said: “We understand the importance of Erskine Bridge as a vital lifeline route and the early completion of this project will reduce any potential impact on motorists travelling to and from Glasgow, Loch Lomond and beyond."

However, the news isn't all good: the southbound carriageway on the bridge will be completely closed to traffic from 8pm tomorrow (Thursday, September 22) until 6am on Friday to allow inspection work to be carried out.