THE opening of a new £5.7million woodland park in the East End of Glasgow has been delayed.

It had been hoped Cuningar Loop on formerly derelict land opposite the Athletes' Village would have been ready this year.

But the Forestry Commission says technical problems with a new pedestrian bridge linking the wood to the Village will result in the opening being delayed until Spring next year.

However, the organisation still plans to host three events in August and September to give local people a chance to come and try out the park before its official opening

Forestry Commission spokesman Jim Clark said: “The date to begin the construction of the new bridge has been delayed by a series of technical hitches mainly around ground conditions on both banks of the river where its foundations have to be laid.

"We are disappointed the bridge won’t be ready in time for the upcoming taster sessions that have been organised by the Forestry Commission Scotland but we can assure everyone that by the spring of 2016, when the real push to promote the park as a unique attraction gets underway, that it will be in place and ready for use by walkers and cyclists.”

The Cuningar Loop project, which is in Rutherglen, has transformed a large area of derelict, unused land the size of 15 football pitches into an attractive community greenspace.

Features include an extensive network of paths, adventure play areas, a bike skills area, Scotland's first bouldering park, a woodland workout, large meadow and picnic areas, an outdoor classroom and riverside boardwalk.

Around 15,000 trees have been planted including native trees such as oak, silver birch and blossom, along with some more exotic trees.

It is hoped Cuningar Loop will attract more than 100,000 visitors by 2021 and encourage people in the East End to get out in the open air.