A £4.5million project to build a 98ft steel "colossus" across the Forth And Clyde Canal in Glasgow has been thrown into doubt.

The Bigman bridge sculpture, which was designed by city sculptor Andy Scott, is "under review" by the main funder, Scottish Canals, formerly British Waterways.

Plans were unveiled in 2008 for a massive statue to hold up a new footbridge at Stockingfield Junction, Maryhill.

The bridge, which would be the only one of its kind in the world, was due to be in place last year but the project is being reviewed by the Canal Partnership, a link-up between ISIS Waterside Regeneration and Glasgow City Council, supported by British Waterways Scotland.

A dedicated Bigman festival was held in October 2008 to celebrate the unveiling of the project, featuring arts and crafts, water sports and exhibitions.

The festival ended with a large drawing of "Bigman" being burned.

Mr Scott, who works from a studio in Maryhill and is best known for his Heavy Horse scuplture on the M8, said he was still waiting for answers about the project.

He said: "I'm told it's "dormant" rather than cancelled.

"It would be an incredible asset to the Maryhill area, indeed for the whole city, if this amazing project could be brought to reality.

"As has been demonstrated in other iconic engineering and sculptural projects around the country, projects such as this can become catalysts for change and regeneration, as well as a tremendous source of local pride.

"What's more, in the case of The Bigman, he is a truly Glaswegian creation: designed in my studio only a stone's throw from the canal, and developed by Halcrow at its Glasgow based engineering practice."

Mr Scott was asked to design a public art display that would form an integral part of the footbridge at Stockingfield Junction.

He said at the time: "Scotland has a great tradition of art and engineering working together, which I wanted to celebrate in this structure.

"Everyone in Glasgow calls each other 'big man'. I wanted to create something that would really reflect the spirit of Glasgow."

The proposals are part of a 20-year plan to regenerate 1000 acres of the Glasgow branch of the canal between Maryhill and Port Dundas.

Richard Millar, Waterway Development Manager, Scottish Canals said: "The Glasgow Canal Regeneration Project to revitalise the Forth & Clyde Canal in North Glasgow is delivering substantial long-term change with numerous projects spread along the 200-year-old waterway between Speirs Wharf and Maryhill moving forward.

"The BigMan bridge is an important element of the Glasgow Canal Regeneration Project and we are very hopeful that we can deliver it in the coming years.

"We have a substantial task ahead of us but hope that the inspirational design will deliver support and sponsorship of what will be an icon for Glasgow in the 21st Century."

caroline.wilson@ eveningtimes.co.uk