Pedestrians and cyclists turned out this weekend to cross the new bridge that stretches for 270 metres across the river Guadalhorce estuary.

The long-awaited opening of the longest wooden bridge in Spain and one of the longest in Europe was attended by representatives of the two authorities that funded the project, Malaga City Hall and the provincial government (Diputación), as well as the president of the Junta de Andalucía, Juanma Moreno.

The bridge closes another gap in the Senda Litoral project, the coastal footpath that will eventually run for the 180 kilometres of the Malaga coastline, between Nerja and Manilva.

This structure also provides a new access to the Guadalhorce estuary nature reserve and links the area of Guadalmar with the west side of the city, with pedestrians and cyclists no longer having to cross the road bridge alongside the main dual carriageway.

"This is a new landmark for the city of Malaga," said Moreno. "They said it wouldn't be possible because of the environmental impact, but with ingenuity, audacity, talent and will, this has become a reality," he added.

Cyclists were pleased to be among the first to cross the bridge. Initial signs prohibiting cycling were met with indignation, but following a campaign by an association of cyclists, it was decided that a speed limit of 10 kilometres per hour would be imposed instead.