The gap has been bridged between shopping centres in Cumbernauld and by the end of next month visitors and residents are expected to set foot on a spectacular new crossing.

In a delicate, four-night operation using two cranes, the first section of stairway, three lengths of bridge deck and 10 support cables were maneuvered into place to span the Central Way dual carriageway and re-link Cumbernauld Shopping with the Antonine Centre.

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The £1.2million 40-metre footbridge, funded by Campsies Centre (Cumbernauld) Ltd, a North Lanarkshire Council redevelopment company, is the latest in a number of schemes to revitalise the town.

In January the previous rusting and disused covered walkway was removed.

A spokesman for Campsies Centre said: "We expect the bridge to be completed towards the end of May.

"Central Way had to be closed over four nights to allow the work to go-ahead and the whole operation went as smoothly as we had hoped.

"The replacement bridge looks fantastic and will become a real landmark for the town as well as fulfilling a very practical need for a full circuit to link all three shopping malls."

(GK)