A new £500,000 path has been built to boost connectivity to the £22.3 million Diamond Bridge in Aberdeen.

The third Don crossing, the largest bridge infrastructure project to be built in the city in the last 30 years, was opened in June 2016.

The two major bridges, featuring 2.4km of new roads, cycleways and pavements, were designed to connect with other major infrastructure projects such as the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, the Berryden Corridor and the Dyce Park and Ride at Craibstone.

The new path will connect residents in Balgownie to the new Gordon Brae. The project was suggested by locals during the latter part of the third Don crossing project.

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The £500,000 scheme was funded by Aberdeen City Council, Nestrans and the Scottish Government, through Sustrans Scotland's Community Links programme.

Cllr Ross Grant said: "We were delighted to take forward a suggestion from the local community so they can enjoy the benefits that the bridge brings not only to motorists but to pedestrians and cyclists.

"The new crossing has transformed getting around the north of the city for people who live, work or spend leisure time in the area, and it's also meant better connectivity to other parts of the city for residents and visitors.

"It's been fantastic to see how many people use the new cycleways and pathways around the Diamond Bridge for both commuting and leisure - 52,000 pedestrian trips and more than 26,000 cycle trips - and I'm sure this new path will also be well used."

Sustrans Scotland Community Links manager Dave Keane said: "This is an exciting project to work in partnership with Aberdeen City Council for further improvement of the Diamond Bridge link.

"We are delighted that feedback from the local community has been used to further improve and enhance the walking and cycling links in the area to make it easier and safer for people to travel by foot and bike for more of the journeys they make every day."

(LM)