POOLE'S Twin Sails bridge is back open in time for Christmas and without any repairs having been carried out.

The structure, which has been out of action for several weeks, will operate with one hydraulic ram and with a slower and reduced lifting schedule.

Specialist engineers are to visit at the end of January to try to resolve the outstanding issue with the bridge's second hydraulic cylinder.

The sticking point has been finding a way to extract a half-tonne pin from the assembly but officials are hoping a method has been found.

Once the pin has been removed, engineers will be able to identify the fault and develop a programme to carry out the appropriate repairs, the council says.

Engineers could be seen testing the bridge today, and resident Ashley Hocking took some video footage (above) of a screeching noise being made by the bridge.

The council previously said the bridge made a 'grating noise' while being raised, which they have been investigating. 

Lynne Wait, Interim Engineering Manager said: “Once it became evident that the method of extracting the pin using a hydraulic jack was not going to work, we set about looking at other solutions to overcome this issue.

"At the same time we also worked closely with our sub-contractors to see how we could bring the bridge back into use.

"We have gone through a thorough process of eliminating potential causes of the fault and are confident that the renewed lifts will not cause further damage to the bridge.”

Poole Bridge will also operate on a reduced number of lifts. See the schedule here.