PLANS for a foot and cycle bridge over the Forth and Clyde Canal near Maryhill have been revealed.

Scottish Canals has requested permission from Glasgow City Council to build the bridge at Stockingfield Junction on Lochburn Road, near Maryhill.

The public body hopes the new structure, which would include “community focused” art, can connect communities to town centres, encourage healthy living and active travel and provide safer routes to facilities and schools by reducing exposure to traffic.

It also said it will provide an open-air space for Gilshochill, Ruchill and Maryhill communities to enjoy.

“The purpose of the crossing is to reconnect the existing towpath that was severed following the construction of the Bowling branch of the canal in the late 18th Century,” a planning statement reveals.

“It will allow pedestrians, runners, cyclists and people making every day journeys along the canal to cross over rather than having to negotiate the existing Lochburn Road footways under the canal aqueduct, which are sub-standard and potentially hazardous.”

In 2008, Scottish Canals commissioned a team, including The Kelpies sculptor Andy Scott, to design a new footbridge at the Stockingfield Junction.

However, due to funding issues, that proposal did not progress to full planning. CH2M, now Jacobs, were asked to prepare a new planning application in September 2016 and consultation was carried out with communities and stakeholders last year.

The planning statement said: “The bridge structure has evolved from the previous submission due to economic constraints and feedback from local communities.

“The sculpture element has been removed and a less imposing but fully integrated pylon observation deck designed to promote enhanced active travel of the canal, towpaths and the site was developed.

“It is felt this enhancement is less domineering in that each of the individual components complement one another, creating a fulfilling experience for users as they pass through Stockingfield Junction.”

The bridge has been designed in discussion with Historic Environment Scotland to avoid impact on the canal, an “industrial monument of national importance”, identified as a Scheduled Monument by Historic Scotland.

Reconnecting the towpath will enhance the “traffic free, green corridor” currently used by cyclists and walkers, the applicant believes.

“In the current situation, pedestrians and cyclists using the towpath of the Forth & Clyde Canal must leave the towpath, descend onto Lochburn Road, pass through a narrow, poorly lit underpass with reduced footway provision, and finally return to the canal towpath having ascended from road level.

“This situation is confusing, inconvenient and potentially dangerous and discourages use of the towpath as a key pedestrian/cycle route in the area. The position also serves to sever the local communities.”

The canal was reopened in 2002 through the Millennium Link Project, which included The Falkirk Wheel.

“Since then Scottish Canals has worked with its partners to promote and enhance the canal corridor. As intended, popularity has increased year on year with over one million visits last year.”