Four-week footbridge closure for maintenance work

The footbridge connects Fenella Beach and Peel Castle with Peel

A bridge across Peel harbourside is set to close for four weeks to allow for maintenance works to take place.

Pedestrians will not be able to use Fenella footbridge from Monday until 4 October, so that its hydraulic systems can be overhauled.

The 14-tonne structure, which links the seaside town with Fenella Beach and Peel Castle, will be lifted by crane out of the harbour and placed on a stone pier nearby.

The Department of Infrastructure (DOI) confirmed the flapgate under the bridge would not be affected by the project, and access for vessels to and from the inner harbour would be maintained.

The bridge will be craned on to some scaffolding set up on a nearby pier

Acting director of highway services Gary Saunders said it was "vital" the routine maintenance was carried out on the 20-year-old bridge.

He said the team had "waited until after the busy summer holidays to do the maintenance" but conceded the work would "cause some disruption".

The project, which also includes repainting the bridge, is scheduled for this time of year to "minimise weather-related delays".

A DOI spokesman said public parking on the stone pier at Weatherglass Corner would not be available for the duration of the works.

Pedestrian access may also be periodically restricted on safety grounds.