A bridge over the M5 in Gloucester has finally opened to traffic, 35 years after being built.

Lobley's Bridge, known as the "bridge to nowhere", was constructed in 1973 as part of a proposed bypass around the city which was never built.

Developments have now been put up on either side of the motorway and the bridge will link the two.

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Lobley's Bridge has been used over the years as a footpath, and as a car park for a nearby nature reserve.

The county's development co-ordination and transport planning manager, John Seddon, said if it was built today it would cost about £1.5m.

"When the M5 was built, there was a plan to build a relief road on the south side of Gloucester, that's why this bridge was built," he said.

"We're now ready to open it to traffic and a bus service will come into service on Monday, giving a direct link from Brockworth into the city centre."

(NS/JM)