A regeneration plan for the north of Glasgow has been granted a £12.6 million investment by the Glasgow City Region committee.

The funding will go towards the construction of a new bridge in Cowlairs as well as the acquisition of a piece of land occupied by a former distillery at 100 Acre Hill.

Bigg Regeneration, a partnership between Scottish Canals and Igloo Regeneration Fund, unveiled plans to develop the 100 Acre Hill area in January.

Around £5.8m will go towards getting work started on the project which could see new homes and a leisure facilities built on the site.

Funding for the Cowlairs Bridge comes to £2.5m with an extra £2.5m going towards funding which will enable wider access to the new structure.

A total of £1.8m was also granted for project management.

The Cowlairs bridge development will be awarded to Network Rail as the structure will cross rail over the Glasgow to Edinburgh line. The rail bridge and road network development was split in to two contracts to prevent the chance of delays to the development.

Jackie Harvey, of the council’s development and regeneration services, told the Evening Times: “Most of the focus has been put in to the Sighthill area up to now. These two projects will see regeneration brought to Cowlairs and Canal Northgateway which will benefit the area as a whole.”

The plans business case was accepted by the committee but concerns were raised about offering Network Rail the contract to build the bridge. It was said that relying on the national company could lead to delays. But DRS officers ensured the committee that every alternative was considered- and awarding Network Rail was the best financial option.

Frank McAveety, the chairman of the committee and leader of the council, added: “This regeneration is taking place in a part of the city that has been through some difficult times.

“This work is about opening up the area and bringing the north in to the city.”