PLANS to build a £1million footbridge to link the two sides of Cumbernauld town centre have taken a giant leap forward.

Proposals for the 48 metre-long suspension bridge have been lodged with North Lanarkshire Council.

The development would replace the Tummel Way Bridge, which was closed in 2004.

The application, submitted by Campsies Centre Cumbernauld Ltd (CCCL), would cross Central Way - the main road that cuts a path through the town centre.

If the 22 metre-high bridge is built it will provide another options for pedestrians to cross the route.

Pedestrians can now use either the underpass at Asda or go through the town centre shopping precinct which crosses the busy road.

Councillor Gerry McElroy, chairman of CCCL, a company set up by the council to redevelop the centre of Cumbernauld, said: "We see this bridge as providing a missing link between the two sides of the town centre.

"Pedestrians from some areas of Cumbernauld currently face a five to 10-minute detour to get from one side of the town centre to the other - this bridge would change that."

The 30-year-old pedestrian Tummel Way Bridge would be demolished under the plans. It was shut for health and safety reasons because of problems with one of the pedestrian ramps.

If the plan gets the go-ahead, tenders will be issued and a contractor selected, with construction starting as early as spring 2009 for a finish date six months later.