Exclusive: M8 'bridge to nowhere' to be finished

Sep 1 2011 By Tristan Stewart-Robertson

The missing link over Scotland's busiest road is finally to be finished - 40 years after it was left hanging in mid-air.

The "bridge to nowhere" over the M8 in Glasgow will carry pedestrians and cyclists between the city centre and the west in a s3.5million project.

Five firms are competing to design and build the project at Anderston for Glasgow City Council, with a view to opening the route early in 2013.

Cycle lanes have already been created in the west of the city, linking to Kelvingrove Park and across the Clyde to the south.

But the dedicated route will extend over the M8 and along Waterloo Street to Glasgow Central Station.

John Lauder, national director of the charity Sustrans Scotland, said: "There is a public appetite for the bridge to be finished and for the benefit to pedestrians and cyclists.

"Residents of Anderston want a better route into the city centre because the current one is not very attractive. The missing link, like the bridge itself, is the commitment to funding.

"We don't have the cycling levels anywhere near those of European countries. We're looking at a lost culture of cycling. We're not going to be able to change that overnight but we have seen a lot of progress.

"There's still a long way to go to get Glasgow connected up."

The bridge was erected in the 1970s to link to a shopping complex that was never built.

Five firms have been invited to submit tenders to the council by October 20 to finish the structure.

Funding will come from Sustrans, the city council and the Scottish government.

Councillor Jim Coleman said: "Finishing the bridge will complete an important link and improve cycling and walking routes to and from the city centre heading west."