A NEW bridge across the Regents Canal is officially opened at 11.30am today. The �2 million timber and steel bridge at Haverfield Road in Mile End weighs 65 tons and will be used as part of a two mile greenway planned to take walkers and cyclists from

A NEW bridge across the Regents Canal is officially opened at 11.30am today.

The �2 million timber and steel bridge at Haverfield Road in Mile End weighs 65 tons and will be used as part of a two mile greenway planned to take walkers and cyclists from Bethnal Green through to Victoria Park and the 2012 Olympic Park.

It was given �300,000 in the Big Lottery Fund's largest ever award chosen by the public and will link Bethnal Green and Bow, giving people the option of crossing the canal rather than the busy Mile End Road and Roman Road.

The new bridge was developed by transport charity Sustrans together with Tower Hamlets council.

Sustrans' London Greenways Manager Matt Winfield said: "We know that attractive, traffic-free surroundings are a major factor in encouraging people to walk and cycle so we hope that this bridge will be used not just by existing cyclists but will tempt many more people to get on their bikes.