RAIL passengers in Drumry face almost five months of disruption to their journeys in the new year.

The eastbound platform at Drumry railway station will be closed from January 23 until April 3, and the westbound platform will be shut from April 4 to June 12.

It's part of a £2.2 million project by Network Rail to replace the existing platform surfaces with more modern and easily maintained surfaces.

During the first phase of work, passengers travelling east towards Drumry will have to travel one stop further, to Drumchapel, before returning on the next train westbound. 

Anyone wanting to get on an eastbound service at Drumry during this time will have to board a westbound train to Singer first, and then catch the next eastbound service there.

During phase two, passengers on westbound trains wanting to get off at Drumry will have to travel to Singer instead and catch an eastbound service.

And those wanting to board a westbound service at Drumry during this second phase of the work will have to catch an eastbound train to Drumchapel before changing to a train travelling west.

Network Rail says that when the work is complete, the platforms will be better protected against the elements, with improved drainage reducing the risk of puddles, and smoothed surfaces to eliminate tripping hazards.

Kevin McClelland, route delivery director for Network Rail, said: "This platform upgrade project is designed to improve safety and comfort for passengers moving around the platforms at Drumry station.

"The investment we’re making will not only protect the platforms against the elements for the long-term but will enable better passenger distribution along each of the platforms which contributes towards improving railway performance and reliability."

David Lister, director of safety, engineering and sustainability, added: "This is essential work that will make underfoot conditions on the platforms at Drumry station much safer and more comfortable for our customers, especially during the winter months.

"It’s yet another important piece of the multi-million-pound maintenance programme being undertaken across Scotland’s railway to improve reliability and performance on the rail network."