Concern about frequent closures to traffic of the Twin Sails Bridge has been raised at a full meeting of Borough of Poole.

Poole Town ward councillor Mark Howell, of Poole People said: “I have recently witnessed an unsuccessful lift of the bridge in the presence of the Bridge Champions where the spans stopped lifting at about 30 degrees from horizontal.

“Is this a continuing issue and, if so, what is causing this to happen? Have all other snags been dealt with to the portfolio holder’s satisfaction?”

He asked if there were other ongoing issues of significance and if contractor Hochtief had accepted responsibility for rectifying them.

The Daily Echo has previously reported on a catalogue of problems affecting the £21.6million bridge and more work is due to be carried out to repaint the white cycle lanes with high friction paint to prevent bikes slipping.

And land owner Gallagher will be carrying out work to remedy a defect found in Rigler Road, the link road in Hamworthy.

Cllr Xena Dion, portfolio holder with responsibility for transportation said the number of occasions when the bridge had not lifted on schedule between the end of March and end of July was two per cent of the total number of lifts.

“Whilst this is a relatively low figure for a new moving structure with a significant degree of innovation, it does not reflect the level of reliability the council expect,” she said.

Most of the disruption related to the hydraulics that operated the triangular sails or the control system, she added.

Since July 28 there had been three occasions when bridge lifts were disrupted caused by problems with the power supply, an operator error and an unsuccessful software adaptation.

“Snagging work is supervised by a highly competent and experienced team and I am satisfied that they are doing a good job for Poole,” she said. Xena said the council had made payments to the contractor and design team in accordance with the terms and conditions of appointment.

A detailed report on the issues raised is due to be presented to the council’s revitalising the town centre board this month.