MORE than 60% more cyclists are using a bridge after it was renovated.

Bicycle trips across the new Adur Ferry Bridge in Shoreham are up by 64% compared to 2011 according to research by Sustrans. The cycling charity has completed its first monitoring report on use of the swing bridge since it opened last September.

Results show estimated cycling trips are up by 64% to 137,968, pedestrian trips are up by 10% to an estimated 742,128 and overall use of the bridge is up by 15% with an estimated total 912,122 trips.

Pieter Montyn, West Sussex County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport labelled the bridge a vital new link into the town centre.

He said: β€œIt has become a much loved community asset and this award is something that both the contractors and the community should feel rightly proud of.”