CYCLISTS and walkers enjoyed a special celebration to mark the opening of a new bridge in Weymouth.

A community event marked the official opening of the Newstead Road bridge and the end of a 25 year wait to bridge the gap for people using the Rodwell Trail.

Bike craft sessions, a treasure hunt and stunt bike displays were among the entertainment at the Marsh playing fields with series of organised cycle rides also ending at the bridge.

The bridge, which has been in use for several weeks, was officially opened by local schoolchildren with the support of cycling author Josie Drew.

Weymouth and Portland Mayor Graham Winter and John Wilson, chairman of Dorset County Council, did the honours with the ribbon cutting.

Mr Wilson said: “There were a lot of people there on the day, especially on the bridge when it was being opened.

“The bridge was the last piece in the jigsaw in the collection of cycle routes and pedestrian walkways for the town of Weymouth.

“It was very much appreciated by people. It has been finished in time for the Olympics and we are expecting lots of people to go around on bikes and on foot for it.”

Mr Wilson said he was particularly impressed by the ‘Bling Your Bike’ stall at the event.

“People came along with their bicycle and they tried to see who could make it look the jazziest.

“A lot of people seemed to take part in it.”

The £835,000 bridge was funded by a Big Lottery grant for sustainable transport charity Sustrans, Dorset County Council and the Olympic Delivery Authority.

Sustrans area manager for Dorset Kevin Humphreys said: “These new links are going to make a real difference to how people make their everyday journeys in Weymouth, providing a safe and accessible route.

“We hope to work with Dorset County Council in the future to deliver even more routes like this locally, making it safe and easy to get around without having to rely on a car.”

The bridge, which replaces an old railway bridge which was demolished in 1987, was put in place by a 200-tonne crane. Newstead Road was closed to northbound traffic while work was carried out on the bridge.