Calatrava's 'passageway of light' Venice bridge opening cancelled

The opening ceremony for the controversial 'passageway of light' bridge over the Grand Canal in Venice has been cancelled because it needs to be modified for people with disabilities.

The bridge, designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, has already hit the headlines after claims by one councillor in the city that the bridge was 300% over budget. It is already four years behind schedule.

The bridge was due to be inaugurated on 18 September by Italian president Giorgio Napolitano but Venice councillor for public works Mara Rumiz said central government approval for modifications for disabled people had yet to be approved.

At a meeting on Monday, Mariz and Venice Mayor Massimo Cacciari agreed that the 94m bridge should be opened without ceremony when it was ready, to avoid any further bad publicity.