A £4million pedestrian bridge is to be built over the Clyde to help regenerate a rundown part of the city.

It will link Dalmarnock in Glasgow with Shawfield in South Lanarkshire and both local authorities are involved with the project.

It is expected work will begin early next year and take around 12 months to complete.

Glasgow has approved its section of the bridge and a planning application for the South Lanarkshire section will go before planners later this month.

The design is based on a 'butterfly arch', made up of two steel, circular hollow arches which lean outwards.

The structure will be 88m long and 5m wide and construction will involve landscaping works and the realignment of the Clyde walkway footpath.

Richard Brown, the city council's executive director of development and regeneration, said: "The proposed development is being promoted to deliver a new foot and cycle bridge which would link Carstairs Street in the Dalmarnock area to Shawfield.

"This part of Glasgow has been identified as a national priority area and this project is viewed as an essential element of infrastructure which would support major regeneration.

"The proposal intends to redevelop parts of the north bank in order for the bridge to be accessible for pedestrians and cyclists. The land involved will be improved which would benefit all users.

"The proposal would regenerate this area by bringing it back into use which would benefit the local community and the landscape proposals would enhance the visual amenity of the area.

"This would mean another step in the regeneration of Glasgow's East End. The development of the bridge, and the work around it, would see a transformation of the public realm in the vicinity, and provide a pathway to the new economic opportunities being created in the area."

Councillors were told there are known to be otters and badgers living in the area but they will be protected during construction and when the bridge is built.

A second footbridge is to be built further upstream to provide access to the Athletes' Village during the Commonwealth Games.

A spokesperson for South Lanarkshire Council said: "We can confirm we have received a planning application for the erection of a footbridge with cycleway over the River Clyde, at Clydeside Road and Millcroft Road.

"This is part of the wider Clyde Gateway regeneration project for the area.

"The application will be determined at the next meeting of the Planning Committe, which will take place on Tuesday."

vivienne.nicoll@ eveningtimes.co.uk