COUNCIL officials have refused to explain why Poole Bridge appeared to malfunction just days after finally reopening.

Drivers say the bridge, which reopened six months over schedule, was stuck in the upright position on Sunday.

Pedestrian Robert Caldecourt, who noted the bridge was stuck open around 12.30pm, said: "We were forced to walk back to the Twin Sails Bridge and the old one had not opened as we passed it about half an hour later.

"I have no idea if it is working now but given the length of time it has been out of action could it not have had a lick of paint?"

While Borough of Poole has confirmed the bridge was stuck open for around an hour on Sunday, no reason for the apparent malfunction has been forthcoming.

The bridge only reopened last week after being closed to traffic in September 2016.

More than 1,880 people are demanding a public enquiry into why the project stuttered for so long, and BOP transportation portfolio holder Cllr Ian Potter has called for a full in-house review into the issue.