Bridgend’s new River Ogmore walkway and footbridge has opened to the public. Although the official opening and naming ceremony will take place in late spring. The new walkway features landscaping, lighting, viewing bays and high quality street furniture and is a key part of the huge regeneration of Bridgend town centre and was funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Welsh Assembly Government Local Regeneration Fund. The new walkway offers pedestrians a riverside walkway between the historic old bridge at Dunraven Place and the Water Street Bridge opposite Queen Street, as well as access to riverside businesses and a crossing to Angel Street, linking the Civic Offices to the town centre. The Leader of Bridgend County Borough Council, Councillor Mel Nott, performed a small opening ceremony before becoming the first person to step on to the newly opened walkway. He said: “The walkway is now complete and it gives me great pleasure to open it up for the benefit of residents, visitors and businesses. It will make a big difference to the surrounding area and I would like to give my thanks to everyone involved in the project." The first people to walk on the newly opened bridge were Claire and Joseph Jennings of Neville Road in Bridgend. Claire said: "I've been watching the construction for some time now and I'm really impressed with it. We thought we'd come down today and take some photos as it is an historic moment for Joseph - something he'll be able to look back on when he's older." The walkway is being carefully monitored and protected by the Council’s CCTV cameras.