The new Pont Sarnau bridge linking Bethesda and Tanysgafell has been officially opened.

The 26-metre structure replaces the old footbridge, which was demolished last year after providing a key link for pedestrians in the Ogwen Valley for over a century.

Cyngor Gwynedd said it had reached the end of its life.

The new bridge is part of the £32 million Llewyrch o'r Llechi development scheme - partly funded by the UK Government - after the slate landscape of North West Wales was granted world heritage status from UNESCO.

Cllr Craig ab Iago, cabinet member for the environment at Cyngor Gwynedd, said: "I'm delighted to see the new Pont Sarnau open to the public."

"This is a project that highlights that we as a Council want to improve sustainable travel opportunities – offering walking or wheeling options for day to day journeys and for leisure."

"Lôn Las Ogwen is a valuable resource here in the area, and follows improvements to footbridges in the Porth Penrhyn area and improved accessibility of the path in recent months."

"This is the latest step in a wider programme of improvements, and I am hopeful that we will see further developments to improve cycle and walking routes in Dyffryn Ogwen in the years to come."

The official opening was attended by members of Bethesda Town Council, the Arfon and Dwyfor Local Access Forum and main contractors OBR Construction among others.

Cllr Ella Walker Jones, chairman of Cyngor Gwynedd, added: "This project is the result of close collaboration across council departments and with our partners."

"I was delighted to be part of the opening of the new bridge – it brings environmental, health and social benefits to the area, and we are delighted to see this important link open again."

Work has also taken place in the area to create a cattle underpass, which allowed six gates to be removed from the path of Lôn Las Ogwen.

The council says it means the recreational route will be more convenient for users, while also ensuring that farming activity either side of the Lôn Las is not affected.

Cllr Medwyn Hughes, cabinet member for the community, said: "The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since July 2021, and one of our main objectives in securing the status was to support the regeneration of our slate communities economically, socially and culturally, celebrating the area's unique role."

"But it wasn't just the quarry that mattered, the transport links – the rail and Penrhyn Port were vital to the industry."

"Lôn Las Ogwen is a continuation of that heritage, and ensures further value to that legacy for the benefit of the people of Dyffryn Ogwen and those who visit the area."