Footbridge works 'more challenging than expected'

Fenella footbridge links the promenade to Peel Castle and Fenella Beach

A bridge across a harbour on the west of the Isle of Man will no reopen as planned after maintenance work "proved more challenging than expected".

The Department of Infrastructure (DOI) said the overhaul of the hydraulic systems of the Fenella footbridge in Peel had "taken longer to deal with than was first estimated".

Work on the structure, which links the town's promenade to Fenella Beach and Peel Castle, had been due to be completed on Friday.

However, the DOI has confirmed the works will continue into the coming week.

A DOI spokesman said: "Our engineers and blacksmiths have encountered some issues that were only apparent once disassembly had begun.

"These issues have required additional works in order to complete the maintenance scheme."

Scaffolding used while the bridge was repainted is set to be removed once the deck has been put back in place

The four-week project, which included repainting the 20-year-old bridge, began on 8 September.

Despite recent spells of wet weather, the renewal of the paintwork had been completed but the scaffolding would not be removed until the bridge deck had been lifted back into place, the DOI spokesman said.

The exact date for that could not yet be confirmed as it was "dependent on there being suitable wind conditions", he added.

A yellow weather warning was put in place for much of Friday and Saturday by Ronaldsway met Office as severe gales brought by Storm Amy hit the island.