Communities in Rutherglen and Dalmarnock are to benefit from a £4.48 million funding boost which will extend the legacy of the Commonwealth Games, First Minister Alex Salmond has announced.

Projects funded are based near 2014 Commonwealth Games venues and Athletes' Village and include a £4 million investment in safe and attractive pedestrian and cycle routes, as well as schemes to improve the mental and physical wellbeing of people in the area.

The Scottish Government has provided the funding to Clyde Gateway URC to support both the physical regeneration of area and help develop local community organisations.

New pedestrian routes will connect Glasgow's SMART bridge with new commercial development plots at Shawfield’s National Business District, and South Dalmarnock with public transport at the upgraded Dalmarnock railway station.

These pathways will also enhance and improve the main pedestrian and vehicle routes serving the Commonwealth Games.

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The investment will ensure necessary regeneration work is undertaken before the Commonwealth Games begin.

The First Minister made the announcement during a visit to the Aspire Church building, which is currently rented by the Healthy n Happy Community Development Trust, which has received £436,000 in funding.

The Trust aims to convert the building from its previous use as a housing office into a community space which will house a range of services and projects including health, IT and employment advice.

Mr Salmond made the visit with the Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games, Shona Robison, after the Scottish Cabinet’s public referendum Q&A event in Rutherglen.

The First Minister said: "The impact of the Commonwealth Games will reach across Scotland but the epicentre is here in the Clyde Gateway area. This is why additional funding for community regeneration initiatives in this area are vital.

"The new pedestrian areas will not only let visitors to the Commonwealth Games move easily between venues, they will also provide a lasting legacy in the area, allowing people to get to the new business development areas and the upgraded Dalmarnock railway station.

"Community involvement is essential to the success of regeneration initiatives and the funding going to both the Aspire project and Gateway to Health will provide additional mental and physical health support in the area.

"This Government is absolutely clear about the contribution that regeneration makes to growing our economy and improving the life chances of Scotland’s people.

"All these projects are central to the regeneration of the area and will contribute to the legacy of the Commonwealth Games."

(CD/IT)