WORK to finish the 'Bridge to Nowhere' has landed a top honour from Scottish Transport Award judges.

The city council was praised in the Achievements in Cycling category for its work at the Anderson Footbridge.

Originally intended to tie in with the proposed Anderson shopping centre in the 1970s, the bridge was left incomplete by the developer and finished in mid air over the Mariott Hotel car park.

The £1.3million scheme to complete the bridge means Kelvingrove Park is now connected to Central Station by way of a segregated cycle and walkway.

The new section of bridge matches the existing concrete structure in materials and style with new higher parapets erected across the motorway to enable safe cycling.

The route links the residential Anderston community with local schools and leisure facilities and is designed to accommodate all levels of cyclists as well as providing a new commuter route from the West End to the city centre.

Automatic counters show there has been a 48% increase in cyclists on the route since the completion of the bridge.

Alistair Watson, the city council's land and environment spokesman, said: "Cycling is an increasingly important aspect of the council's local transport strategy.

"It is fantastic the famous Bridge to Nowhere has been recognised for the transformation it has made in connecting the city centre and West End for cyclists.

"We are already seeing Route 756 of the National Cycle Network is proving pivotal in further progressing cycling in Glasgow and forming a lasting legacy for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

"We have integrated the completed project into the wider Glasgow cycle network which has encouraged increased cycle use for trips to work, journeys to school and leisure use."

vivienne.nicoll@eveningtimes.co.uk