POOLE’S troubled Twin Sails Bridge is closed again with no date set for when it will reopen.

It closed on Thursday to allow for further essential works to be carried out.

Drivers were left fuming last year when the bridge was closed for four months for the first stage of the repair work.

But this time councillors hope the impact will not be as severe in a period when people are being advised to stay at home due to the coronavirus crisis.

Councillor Andy Hadley, cabinet member for transport and infrastructure at BCP Council, said: “The decision has been made to close the bridge until the second pin is removed to prevent any further damage, when it will be reopened.

“This is a complex and precise piece of engineering, however, once completed, we will be another step closer to fully repairing the bridge. With the majority of people advised to stay at home and reduced demand from road users at this time we hope this is not such an inconvenience.

“Poole Bridge remains in operation for local residents who should only be undertaking one period of exercise a day, and for key workers making essential journeys.”

Last year’s prolonged closure saw the replacement of one of two main bearing pivot-pins on the Hamworthy side.

The bridge was brought back into operation in December on a reduced lifting schedule and an independent review has been carried out on the lifting mechanism over the longer term.

The review has determined that the bridge should be closed and works to remove the second pin should proceed as soon as possible to prevent any further faults developing on the bridge.

Once completed, this will enable the bridge to be brought back into operation until the next stage of repairs can begin. Future works include the installation of a new pin to replace the one that is due to be removed.

The bridge opened in 2012 but has since been plagued with issues forcing several closures for a total of more than six months.

Poole council also spent £1.3 million keeping it operational over the same period, despite having only set aside £730,000.

When the bridge reopened in December, Cllr Hadley said: “Our next priority is to ensure we have a longer-term solution to the issues affecting Twin Sails - we apologise for the inconvenience.”