Twin Sails Bridge: No end in sight for repair work

Twin Sails Bridge, which connects Poole Quay and Hamworthy, has been closed to traffic and pedestrians since mid-May. 

Since then, the £37m troubled bridge has been out of action, leaving residents with only the historic lifting bridge to get across. 

According to the council earlier this month, the bridge was due to reopen on Sunday, July 14 but this hasn’t happened. 

Responding to enquiries surrounding the bridge from the Echo, BCP Council’s cabinet member for the environment Andy Hadley said it’s “now clear that further repairs are required”. 

He would not explain what is wrong with the bridge or give a timeframe for when it is expected to be open. 

CLOSED: The council doesn't know when Twin Sails Bridge will reopen (Image: Daily Echo)

Cllr Hadley said: “None of us want the Twin Sails out of use any longer than is necessary, and our teams have been working around-the-clock to try and get the bridge operational again as soon as possible.  

“Whilst the first stage of works was promising, and we were on schedule to open again this month, it is now clear that further repairs are required to allow it to be reopened to traffic and pedestrians.  

“The bridge will remain in the raised position and open to marine traffic. The RNLI and others need this access.  

“I thank the residents of Poole and Hamworthy for their continued patience during these works. We understand the impact this is having on our area and we apologise.” 

Poole's MP Neil Duncan-Jordan (Image: Richard Crease)

Poole’s newly elected MP Neil Duncan-Jordan said residents are “frustrated” with the ongoing problems with Twin Sails bridge and has written to Rhys Bright, head of engineering at BCP Council, for answers. 

He said: “I’ve got residents who are very frustrated by two things. Firstly, the ongoing failure of Twin Sails Bridge, not just this time because it’s ongoing. 

“And secondly the way it intercepts with other things in Poole. You’ve got Twin Sails and other roadworks going on and the council needs to co-ordinate with the utility companies, so residents don’t have this double whammy.”  

The Twin Sails Bridge has been somewhat of a disaster this summer for the council: it was first closed on May 17 for a regular inspection. 

Then, two days later, Cllr Hadley said “additional investigation and remedial works” were needed to work out and solve a problem. 

He anticipated it would be reopened to traffic and pedestrians in “mid-June”. 

But then, in mid-June, it was expected to be reopen on July 14.