ZPT665H10-BRIDGE PONT Y WERIN, the ‘Bridge of the People’, will not open this month as originally planned.

Work on the £4.6million bascule bridge design, which will enable pedestrians and cyclists to cross between Penarth Marina and the International Sports Village at Cardiff Bay, began earlier this year.

The 140m long bridge was due to officially open on June 8, but a delay with suppliers means the date has been put back to July 14.

The design incorporates a 20metre opening section to allow river traffic to pass, and this will be operational before the new opening date.

Funding for the new bridge has come from the Welsh Assembly Government (£1.645m); Cardiff Council (£1.3m); sustainable transport charity Sustrans (£1.15m); Cardiff Harbour Authority (£250,000); and the Vale of Glamorgan Council (£200,000).

Sustrans helped fund Pont y Werin using part of a £50m award they received from the Big Lottery Fund in 2007, after winning a national TV vote on ITV1.

A spokeswoman for Cardiff Council apologised for the delay, but said safety was a priority.

"Unfortunately there has been a delay in the opening of the Pont y Werin Bridge to pedestrians and cyclists," she said.

"This is due to a logistical delay in receiving certain supplies for the completion of the bridge.

"The council's priority is to ensure the bridge passes all health and safety regulations and to remain on budget.

"We expect the bridge to be open to both pedestrians and cyclists by July 14 – however it will be accessible for vessels to pass beneath the bridge before this date."