Calls have been made for a major upgrade of pedestrian and cycle paths along the River Lagan in a bid to make the route a "real jewel".
It comes as it is understood that work on a pedestrian bridge along the Lagan Towpath in south Belfast is due to begin on Monday.
Brown Bridge at Lagan Meadows has been shut since the start of December.
Belfast City Council said at the time that the bridge was "currently closed for essential repairs".
But the closure has led to diversions for cyclists and pedestrians who want to access both sides of the river.
With work due to start on the structure, SDLP MP Claire Hanna has called for work to be carried out to fully restore bridges and paths along the River Lagan.
"Firstly it is great to see that the work at Brown Bridge is finally starting on Monday," she said.
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"This has been closed for so long now and for ages there was no clarity around who owned it, which led to further delays.
"But the point is that we need to get more people off the roads and out of their cars and start using pedestrian and cycle routes more.
"Therefore we need to get these bridges and paths fixed, people should have the ability to use this towpath and not get to a bridge to find it's closed and then are diverted.
"Major work needs to be done to try and get these fixed and usuable."
Ms Hanna, who regularly cycles and walks along the route, added: "The Lagan Towpath has the potential to be a real jewel for getting people off the roads.
"But there's also the opportunity for people to lead a much more healthier lifestyle by getting out cycling and walking more."
Belfast City Council has been contacted for comment.
