A "land bridge" linking Greenhithe and Swanscombe has reopened to the public.

The footbridge in Craylands Gorge was declared safe for use following the demolition of the old condemned bridge.

It has now been replaced by a new "land bridge" connecting Swanscombe heritage park to Greenhithe.

The bridge itself was constructed from existing materials on site and will provide more habitats for encouraging wildlife within the existing gorge area.

The work was overseen by developers Henley Camland on behalf of the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation, the body tasked with transforming the Eastern Quarry, as part of plans for 15,000 homes at the new Ebbsfleet Garden City.

Planning permission was granted last year and agreements were put in place for the protection of biodiversity and to secure any archaeological findings.

An inspection was carried out by Kent County Council earlier this month before it was officially reopened to the public.

Henley Camland director Peter Nelson said: "We are delighted to be finally open this important link between the two areas of Swanscombe and being able to replace the old unsafe metal bridge.

"Equally important this land bridge will provide an additional important link in the future to and from the Craylands Gorge linear park when that is eventually opened to the public."

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