The annual closure of Poole’s Twin Sails Bridge is due to take place at towards the end of March.

It will be closed for a week from 7am on Monday, March 23, until 7am on Monday, March 30, and drivers, cyclists and pedestrians will be directed over the old lifting bridge.

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

“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.”

The pre-planned, essential maintenance work will include some minor repairs and general cleaning tasks.

There will be inspection of and safety checks on the high voltage supply and the annual service of the hydraulics including changing fluid and breather filters as well as checking numerous valves and controls for correct operation.

Failed lamps will be replaced, LEDs and road studs in the lighting systems checked and checks and minor adjustments will be made to the control system.

On the cleaning side some of the stainless steel finishes will be polished up to maintain the high quality appearance of the structure.

Poole Bridge, which will be operating as normal, has already had its check-up, being closed for a week last September while inspections, replacements and repairs were made to the structure, which has been in use since 1927.

The work is timed either side of winter to avoid the worst of the weather which can delay the programme, and ensures one bridge will always be available for road users.