POOLE’S Twin Sails Bridge has been hit by another setback – lumps of road surface falling off.

Around two square metres of surface broke away from one of the leaves while the £37million bridge was raised overnight on Sunday.

Experts still cannot give a date for when the bridge will fully open to traffic and pedestrians – despite having staged three opening celebrations including the Princess Royal’s visit on Monday.

Workers from contractors Hochtief found the rubble, in pieces measuring up to 30cm long, on the Hamworthy side of the bridge after it lowered at around 7.30am on Monday.

They then took up more loose material.

A 20m by 7m area needs to be pulled up and inspected, then sections will be relaid.

Jim Bright, strategic director at Borough of Poole, says the area that crumbled away was part of that identified as defective last week.

Surfacing specialists are examining the damage to find a cause and establish if one, two or all three layers of surface need to be relaid.

Mr Bright said: “We have not fully understood the problem that we have got and are looking to the contractor and his specialists for advice.

“We do know that it is a defect that has occurred and where there is a defect appropriate remedial action has to be determined.”

Relaying the quickdrying surface will take a couple of days, he said.

“It is a relatively small job to undertake once we understand what we need to do,” Mr Bright added.

“But we need to get the logistics right. To say ‘It is going to open this week or in a week’ would just not be possible’.”

There was never any chance of debris falling into the waterway, he said, and he was confident leading European contractor Hochtief would be able to repair the problem.

“I expect them to give it their utmost attention.

“They are the best specialist experts in finding a solution and I expect it to be repaired to the highest standard,” he added.

The bridge will continue to lift to schedule for now.

Details will be released later of closures required while the new surface sets.