POOLE’S Twin Sails Bridge is no longer on course to open to traffic by the end of this month.

Work has taken longer than anticipated and the bridge is not expected to open until the latter part of February.

However the official opening ceremony is still planned for March 9.

“Construction of the bridge is now in its final stages,” said Jim Bright, strategic director at the Borough of Poole.

“All work on the main structure is complete and the contractor is giving full attention to the finishing touches. Having reviewed the programme over Christmas the contractor has advised that it will take a few more days to complete the project.

“The council expects the bridge to be fully ready for the Mayor’s Community Weekend in February,” he added.

The road surface across the bridge was completed last week and the footpaths are currently being laid. Handrails, barriers and the totems that control traffic are now being put in place.

After the bridge across the Black Water Channel is completed, tested and handed over, the mayor’s weekend will give residents the chance to stroll across the bridge before traffic is allowed across on the Monday.

A spectacular official opening is planned for March 9 with road closures being applied for and the borough is expecting a Royal visitor to its new bridge later in the year.

Meanwhile the junction of Rigler Road with Blandford Road, which leads to the structure, is being dug up again as three weeks of road works get underway to widen the footpath on the south side of Blandford Road.

There will be changes to road markings and other modifications in response to a safety audit carried out by landowner JJ Gallagher. Two-way temporary road signals are in use while the kerbs are being re-laid on the main road.