Lifting bridge remains closed after creaking heard

Twin Sails bridge remains closed while investigation work continues

A lifting bridge in Dorset is expected to remain closed to traffic until the end of October while engineers investigate the cause of "abnormal creaking sounds".

Twin Sails Bridge, which crosses a boating channel between Poole and Hamworthy, has been raised since 26 August.

The road bridge was shut at short notice after a routine inspection deemed the lifting mechanism unsafe to operate.

In a message to councillors, Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council said there were "some similarities to previous faults so the team has a direction in their investigation".

Hamworthy councillor Peter Cooper shared the message on the day of the closure, which said the inspection had revealed "abnormal creaking sounds during the lift".

Twin Sails was closed to road traffic for nearly three months in 2024

"It is not safe to operate the bridge until the issue is resolved," it said.

A traffic order states the bridge is anticipated to be closed until 31 October to all vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists "to facilitate investigation and repair works".

A BCP spokesperson said: "Further investigation is required to determine the works that are required to bring the bridge back to operation.

"We will update residents as soon as we have more information."

The bridge, which opened in 2012, and nearby Poole Bridge allow drivers to avoid a six-mile detour and enable boats to pass between Holes Bay and Poole Bay.

Last year, Twin Sails remained closed for almost three months after a fault was found during an inspection in mid-May.