ROAD-users could be set for further delays at the end of March due to Poole’s Twin Sails Bridge being closed for annual maintenance.

A section of Rigler Road through to the bridge is scheduled to be closed for seven days from 7am on Monday, March 31, to 7am on Monday, April 7. Borough of Poole’s Transportation Advisory Group in November 2013 unanimously supported arrangements for annual maintenance to keep Poole’s two lifting bridges operating efficiently and effectively.

The Twin Sails Bridge will be closed for a week for the essential maintenance works, say Poole council, leading motorists, cyclists and pedestrians on a diversion using the old Poole Bridge. However, boat traffic will not be affected, as the scheduled lifts of the bridge will still take place.

John Rice, engineering manager for Borough of Poole, said: “It is important that we keep our lifting bridges operating effectively and reliably in the long term, and this means carrying out preventative maintenance in a planned way.

“By closing the Twin Sails Bridge outside of peak times in the year, we will be able to minimise disruption to residents, who will always have one bridge available.”

Annual maintenance tests on the bridge will include inspection and checking of the bridge’s high voltage transformer and switch gear, which may require the power supply to be switched off for a few hours.

Workmen will also look to repair and replace any broken street light units on the bridge, as well as testing of the hydraulic system, filter changes and control system operational checks.

The annual closure of Poole Bridge will take place in September for up to one week.