Harthill bridge design unveiled

Work on the new bridge is expected to begin early next year

The design for a new footbridge to be built over the M8 has been unveiled.

The new crossing over the motorway at Harthill should be completed by the autumn of 2007.

It will replace a footbridge the Scottish Executive said had fallen into disrepair and no longer meets modern access requirements.

The £4.1m project is the final phase of the redevelopment of the area which houses the first motorway service station built in Scotland.

Transport Minister Tavish Scott said: "The interchange at Harthill is designed to encourage the integration of local and express bus services, as well as attract motorists and pedestrians to use these public transport services."

The process to appoint a contractor to construct the bridge will now get under way.

It is hoped work will start early next year.