CYCLISTS and walkers are now able to use a new bridge in Hereford after it was officially opened this week.

The Greenway Bridge, which runs across the River Wye linking Bartonsham to Rotherwas, will help workers get to the Hereford Enterprise Zone in a more environmentally friendly fashion.

The bridge, funded by Sustrans, was officially opened by Herefordshire vice-chairman Councillor Chris Chappell on Tuesday.

He said it would encourage people to get on their bikes and travel around the city.

"In June, I decided to ride a bike again, but there were so many cars on Holme Lacy Road and it was far too dangerous," he added.

"It is the first bridge to be constructed over the the River Wye in Hereford for 40 years and I will definitely use it to get to the council's offices in Brockington."

Kate Burgoyne, a Hereford Triathlon Club member, said that the bridge will be invaluable for her getting from her childminder's house in Ledbury Road to her work at Thorn Business Park.

"I cycle two to three times a week and cycle whenever I can," said Kate.

"It will be really useful for a lot of cyclists."

Will Vaughan, from Hereford Pedicabs, added that the bridge will be useful for a new project that the company aims to launch in the new year.

"We will have a community cargo bike that carries freight, so people will be able to use it to go to the tip," said Will.

"It will be based in Harold Street, so the bridge will be brilliant for that."

The route, which aims to take a couple of hundred cars off the road, largely follows the dismantled Hereford to Ross--on-Wye railway through to Thorn Business Park.

The rest of the route to Chapel Road will be open from December 20.

Further plans are in place to one day extend the path to Holme Lacy.