Lower Bann Bridges. Coleraine Millennium Bridge Traditional Cache

A new bridge built to improve facilities for cyclists and pedestrians is being opened in Coleraine in County Londonderry.

The Waterside Millennium foot and cycle bridge was built at a cost of £1.1m.

Northern Ireland Regional Development Minister Gregory Campbell officially opened the project on Monday.

Spanning the banks of the River Bann, the 75 metre long bridge is sited alongside the Town Bridge, which is a listed structure.

Mr Campbell said: "The existing bridge, which was built in 1844, whilst still sound, is rather narrow for today's needs. In particular, the footways are not wide enough and there is little room for cyclists.

"When substantial funding from the Millennium Commission became available through the cycling charity, Sustrans, my Department's Roads Service welcomed the opportunity to provide improved facilities for pedestrians and cyclists."

Mr Campbell said construction of the bridge was not without its complications.

In particular, work could only be carried out in the winter, when river levels were high and currents at their strongest, in order to avoid salmon and eel migration seasons.

A jack-up barge, which was used for the construction of the piers, proved to be the source of considerable local interest at the time.

The new bridge consists of three tubular steel arches that were designed to match the profile of the Town Bridge and allow maximum visibility of the listed structured.

Mr Campbell said: "The new bridge will carry around 260,000 pedestrians and cyclists each year.