POOLE bridge will not reopen next week - because some of the new parts are still abroad.

It’s the FIFTH delay to the contract and the bridge is not expected to back in action until mid-December.

It was shut for a £4.7m renovation back in September 2016.

Council officials are understood to be livid with the contractors Interserve for failing to deliver on time.

The cost of the work is set to rise because of the fiasco.

The Daily Echo understands that some parts for the 90-year-old bridge are still sitting in a factory in the Czech Republic.

When the crossing closed to the public, borough engineers said the project would be completed, nine months later, in June 2017. News of the most recent delay came just two days after an open day was held at the bridge, which offered members of the public the chance to see the progress so far and ask about the works.

Julian McLaughlin, head of growth and infrastructure, Borough of Poole, said the council had made a “massive effort” to re-open the bridge before Christmas and confirmed a new re-opening date of Friday, December 15.

“We would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding while work on the bridge has continued. The delay over recent months has been unavoidable and the contractor has had to overcome several unforeseen and challenging issues. While some minor work will continue into January it will have minimal impact on local residents,” he said.

He added: “The improvements to Poole Bridge, coupled with the major resurfacing work on Blandford Road, will provide a better journey for those travelling to and from Hamworthy, and especially those who wish to walk and cycle to and from the town centre.”

John Rice, the borough’s engineering manager, said there had been a delay in the delivery of “some key pieces of equipment” including timber walkways and totems, which house the traffic lights and barriers.

Interserve’s construction division made a £2m loss in the first six months of this year, prompting a shift towards projects with an average value of less than £10m. The company did not respond to the Daily Echo’s request for comment at the time of going to press.

Councillor Ian Potter, cabinet portfolio holder for planning, regeneration and transportation, was also unavailable for comment.

A spokesperson for the council said the cost of the delayed work had yet to be negotiated, and there was “scope for the council to recoup cost associated with delay in delivery”.

They added delay damages clauses existed in the contract with Interserve but were not prepared to comment further at this stage.