SANDBANKS ferry is closed to the public from today while a planned refit takes place.

The well-used chain ferry connecting Poole and Studland is out of action from Tuesday, November 5.

Bosses are anticipating it will be back in action on Wednesday, November 20 - although this is subject to change should the weather not work in their favour.

A spokesman said: "The ferry service is closed for refit. The ferry will be undergoing a refit this November between 5 -20, weather permitting. There will be no ferry service during this period."

Morebus' Purbeck Breezer routes will also be affected.

A spokesman said: "While this work is being carried out, we are splitting our Purbeck Breezer 50 into two separate routes - 50X and 51.

"Route 50X operates Swanage to Bournemouth Station with some journeys diverting via Sandbanks Pavilion.

"From Swanage Bus Station to Holmes Road it is stopping via the Purbeck Breezer 40 route then will go non-stop to Poole (The George) towards Bournemouth and Poole Bus Station (stand J) towards Swanage.

"Stopping between The George and Park Gates before resuming non stop to St Ann's Hospital or Shore Road (depending on whether it's a Sandbanks journey or not).

"It's then stopping to Bournemouth Station following the normal route. The times between Bournemouth Station and Sandbanks are the same time as the normal route 50 timetable.

"Route 51, from Bournemouth Station to Sandbanks Ferry, will run every two hours.

"Purbeck Breezer 40 is unaffected by the changes, and will run to its normal hourly timetable Monday to Sunday.

"We recommend keeping an eye on our service updates while the ferry is closed."

The present ferry, Bramble Bush Bay, came into service in January 1994, and is the fourth ferry to operate this service since the Bournemouth-Swanage Motor Road and Ferry Company came into being.

During the last refit in November 2022, the ferry was damaged while being towed to Falmouth.

Its prow arms were severely bent which one boat expert described as “a major problem”.

As a result, the service was out of action until February 2023.