COWDENBEATH'S MSP wants people from the Cowden-Gelly area to walk the new Queensferry Crossing.

Annabelle Ewing has welcomed the announcement of the date on which the Queensferry Crossing will open to traffic (August 30) and is encouraging constituents to take up the opportunity being offered to members of the public to walk across the new bridge to mark its opening a couple of days later.

The ballot opened from 9am on Tuesday June 20 and will remain open until noon on Wednesday July 5. To enter the ballot people should visit the Queensferry Crossing Experience website: www.queensferrycrossingexperience.com

Ms Ewing said: “I am delighted that the date at which the Queensferry Crossing will be opened to traffic has now been announced and I want to pay tribute to all of those who have worked so hard bringing this wonder of modern engineering into being."

The bridge will be open for walkers on September 2 and 3.

Annabelle Ewing added: "It is a great idea that, to celebrate the opening, the bridge will be made accessible to members of the public to walk over it.

"I understand that 50,000 places are available through an online ballot – this really is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I would encourage my constituents to get involved and help mark this very special occasion.”