A LONG-AWAITED multi-million-pound restoration of a Glasgow bridge is to get under way next month after more than two years.

The city council announced in 2013 that it intended to refurbish the Albert Bridge, linking Saltmarket and Crown Street, after it fell into disrepair, with cracks and shabby paintwork.

But problems with a contractor falling into administration and difficulties in finding suitably specialist workers to restore the 1871 bridge meant the £2.6m project - which was originally intended to be completed by April 2014 - was hit by long delays.

Councillor Soryia Siddique, who has campaigned for the bridge to be upgraded for years, said she was delighted to hear the contract for the refurbishment had now been awarded.

Work is expected to start next month and the restoration is due to be complete by March next year.

The bridge, a crucial north south link, is expected to remain open throughout.

Ms Siddique said she raised the issue with the city council's head of land and environmental services and finance director.

She said it was great news that the contract had finally been awarded and she looked forward to seeing the

newly-restored bridge.

The Southside Central councillor thanked Huchesontown community council and Laurieston Community council who joined the campaign for the refurbishment and said the latest development was 'good news for campaigners and residents.'

Eddie Graham started a Restore Albert Bridge Glasgow page on Facebook. He said it was potentially "the most stunning" bridge in Glasgow but had been neglected "year after year."

In 2013, a report identified restoration work to include new lighting, grit-blasting and repainting in its original colours, plus heraldic shields and gilded highlights reinstated.

Restoration work will involve replacing the existing cast iron parapets with identical but stronger ones.

All the sections of the facade which have been lost over time will be replaced and new lighting will be installed which will replicate the bridge's original lighting.

The council report said the work would restore "a stunning piece of historic engineering over the River Clyde."

Council leader Gordon Matheson said at the time that he hoped the bridge would enjoy "a high profile" during last summer's Commonwealth Games. Instead, it was covered in a pink People Make Glasgow banner along the length of its discoloured blue ironwork.

Councillor Alistair Watson, responsible for transport and sustainability for Glasgow city council, confirmed the contract for the restoration work had been agreed.

He said: "It is anticipated work on the Albert Bridge will start next month."

He has previously described the bridge as "architecturally, Glasgow's finest bridge - of that there is no doubt."

The bridge is named after Queen Victoria's consort, Prince Albert. There are two other Albert bridges, in London and Belfast. In 1999, the city council carried out strengthening work to ensure it could carry heavy vehicles.