Poole’s Twin Sails Bridge will be closed to motor vehicles for five days from 7am on Monday 7 December to 5pm on Friday 11 December.

During the works to complete essential repairs the backwater channel will be closed to marine traffic from 10.30am on Monday 7 December to 6.30am on Monday 14 December. The bridge will remain in a ‘down’ position and provide access for cyclists and pedestrians for the majority of the duration of works.

Following the successful removal of a pin and bearing within the dual-cylinder hydraulic lifting mechanism earlier this year, the Hamworthy side of the bridge has since been operating in single-cylinder mode with a reduced lifting speed. The forthcoming closure will allow the installation of a replacement pin and bearing and return the bridge to full operational order.

A BCP Council spokesperson said, “Unfortunately, works have not been able to be undertaken during the national lockdown due to the already planned third party dredging works within the channel. We’re determined to return the bridge to full working order as soon as possible, both to restore its efficiency and to help us prevent further issues.

“We recognise the impact this closure may have on the local community whilst we carry out these essential works and bring the bridge back into full operational order. We would like to assure residents and businesses that every effort has been made to schedule these works so that they can be carried out as soon as possible and to keep the impact to a minimum.”

Following the completion of these works, BCP Council will continue to monitor the performance of the fully operational bridge and undertake any maintenance required to avoid further issues arising in future.