WORK on a foot and cycle bridge over the River Great Ouse between Eaton Socon and Eynesbury is set to start next year. The Sustrans Connect2 bridge was one of 79 projects across the UK to receive a slice of �50million Big Lottery funding decided by a pu

WORK on a foot and cycle bridge over the River Great Ouse between Eaton Socon and Eynesbury is set to start next year.

The Sustrans Connect2 bridge was one of 79 projects across the UK to receive a slice of �50million Big Lottery funding decided by a public vote in 2007.

It was originally planned that work would start on the bridge last autumn with it opening to the public this summer.

But negotiations with landowners delayed the project.

A spokesman for Sustrans said this week that the project was "definitely going ahead" and work would start on the site in spring 2011 with an opening date in the autumn.

Nigel Brigham, regional director for Sustrans, added: "The St Neots scheme has been delayed due to the complicated land negotiations with multiple landowners but Cambridgeshire County Council is looking to resolve this.

"We look forward to this scheme becoming a reality for the local communities so that people can start making more local journeys by foot and by bike."

Cambridgeshire County Council is working in partnership with Sustrans to provide the link between the two communities.

At the moment anyone wanting to walk or cycle between Eaton Socon and Eynesbury has to make a considerable detour to get to work, school or the shops.

CCC said the new bridge, which will span 346metres, would provide people with a viable alternative to their cars.