The Twin Sails Bridge in Poole, Dorset, has been in need of repairs for many months, but dredging work in the harbour delayed the project to repair the crossing.
However, the Bournemouth Echo reported that the works necessary to repair the structure are expected to begin later this month, with the bridge to be held in the closed position from 6 to 11 December to enable the work to be carried out.
This means that the channel that the bridge crosses will be inaccessible to larger vessels for that five-day period.
Chief executive at Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council Graham Farrant told the newspaper last month that the parts required to repair the bridge, including the main bearing pivot pin, had been manufactured and were ready to be installed.
At the time, Mr Farrant said that he understood the frustrations of local people who have been unable to use the bridge in recent months. However, he stated: “We are dealing with a very complex structure that is reliant on precision engineering and located in the challenging working marine environment of the harbour.”
He also explained that the parts required for the repair needed several months’ lead time to be manufactured, adding that the council had commissioned a spare pin at the same time.
Another bridge that is expected to be back in operation by Christmas is the Silver Jubilee Bridge footpath in Runcorn. Although it won’t reopen to vehicular traffic until summer 2020, Runcorn and Widnes World recently revealed that the footbridge should be open to pedestrians and cyclists from 20 December.
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