POOLE council has finally confirmed a re-opening date for Poole Bridge.

The recently-refurbished crossing has been closed since Sunday due to an as-yet-unknown technical problem which caused damage to two safety gates.

Engineering manager John Rice said an investigation was still continuing into the fault, but the bridge would be back in operation by Monday.

A contractor has been employed to make temporary repairs to the safety gates.

Two new gates have been ordered and will be fitted “at the earliest opportunity”.

A further series of overnight closures are taking place to finish “outstanding work” on the bridge, he said.

Bridge Approach and Poole Bridge will be closed to all vehicles from 7pm and closed to pedestrians and cyclists from 9.30pm on Wednesday, April 18. The bridge will be fully re-opened to all traffic from 5.30am the following morning.

A further overnight closure will take place from 7pm on Wednesday, April 25, until 7am the following morning. During this period one footpath will remain open at all times.

A contractor will be on site for a period of four to six weeks to complete painting work. The bridge will remain open, but there will be some off-peak lane closures.

“It’s important that we fully understand the reason behind the damage and the repairs required to enable the bridge to become fully operational. We are fully committed to a two-bridge operating system and the recent major refurbishment of Poole Bridge will ensure our bridges operate efficiently and effectively in the long term,” Mr Rice said.