Cycling network Sustrans today won £50m funding in the biggest-ever lottery handout decided by public vote. It means Glasgow's infamous "bridge to nowhere" will finally be completed.

The plan to connect the pedestrian bridge over the M8 in Anderston to a local cycle network will now received lottery funding.

It was part of the Connect2 bid by Sustrans which involves creating walking and cycling routes in 79 communities in the UK, including four in Scotland.

The Connect2 project was competing against three English bids: one for a canal and green space plan in the Black Country, another for a new attraction at the Eden Project in Cornwall and a third in Sherwood Forest to replant woodland and create cycle and horse riding paths.

Television viewers chose which of four projects to give the one-off payout.

The "bridge to nowhere" was originally planned to link into an elevated shopping centre, but the final phase of the development was never completed and the connecting ramp stops abruptly in mid-air.

The lottery bid was put together by Sustrans, a UK transport charity, and Glasgow City Council.

The cost of the Bridge to Nowhere plan is around £2.5m and the lottery would provide £1m towards it.

John Grimshaw, founder of Sustrans, said: "To say I am delighted is such an understatement - this is fantastic news for Sustrans. But, more importantly, it is fantastic for the 79 communities and many other partners and local authorities across the UK with whom we have been working for the last two years. We are extremely grateful to everyone who has supported us, but the hard work starts now to build those bridges, tunnels, crossings and networks of paths. Ultimately the real winners will be those millions of people who will now be able to Connect2 their shops, schools, workplaces and each other every day."

The bridge will join up major cycle networks in the west of Scotland and provide safer routes for cyclists.

To the south, the route will link with the cycle path along the River Clyde by connecting the Anderston footbridge with another pedestrian bridge over the Clydeside Expressway.

From Argyle Street in Anderston, the route will head west to Elderslie Street and into Kelvingrove Park, connecting with the Kelvin Walkway and on to the Forth and Clyde Canal.

The plan will also help disabled people get across the M8 to the city centre.