CAMPAIGNERS have expressed delight at £1.3million funding for the bridge they petitioned to save.

As told in the Evening Times in October 2016, locals launch a bid to have Polmadie Footbridge restored to working order.

A vital link between Oatlands and Glasgow Green, the bridge was closed in May 2015 and residents left in the dark as to what would happen next.

Now Glasgow City Council has announced £1.3m is ringfenced to repair the bridge.

Tony Lawson, who led the charge, said: "I am delighted that funding has been found to repair the bridge. Thank you to everyone who signed the petition.

"This shows what can be done when a community pulls together."

It will take around 14 months to reconstruct the bridge, which is a five span concrete bridge and was constructed in 1954.

It crosses the Clyde between Glasgow Green on the north bank and the Oatlands development and Richmond Park on the south bank of the river.

A structural assessment of the footbridge in 2015 found that it was understrength and continuing to use the bridge could lead to its collapse.

The footbridge was closed to the public and the deck was demolished, leaving existing piers in place to be able to reuse them should funding for repairs be found.

Demolition work started in October 2015 and was completed in June 2016.

The new deck will sit at 338ft long and nearly 13ft wide in order to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists.

When launched, Tony's Free the Polmadie Bridge petition said: "There are no longer lots of dog walkers, cyclists and children playing on this side of the Green which has provided fresh air and exercise for the residents of Oatlands for hundreds of years."

The petition received more than 1000 signatures,

The design of the new deck is programmed to be complete by the end of May 2017, with the works are programmed to start on site in Autumn.

The new footbridge is expected to reopen in April 2018.

It will incorporate decorative parapets with high quality functional lighting and will restore the connection between Glasgow Green and the south side of the Clyde and Richmond Park.

Council bosses say the footbridge is a critical link in the city’s walking and cycling network.

Councillor Frank McAveety, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “The Polmadie Footbridge was always a popular crossing of the Clyde and I am delighted to say that the council will now restore it.

"This project will play a part in the continuing regeneration of the river and the communities on either side of this stretch of the Clyde.”

Local councillor Soryia Siddique added: "I am delighted the campaign to upgrade the Polmadie bridge has been successful.

"The local community was clear on the importance of restoring the bridge and their voices have been heard.

"I give a warm welcome to the news this £1.4m investment to build a new cycle and footbridge between Oatlands and Glasgow Green - replacing the demolished Polmadie Bridge and restoring a critical part of the city's walking and cycling network - has been approved."