Poole's Twin Sails Bridge hit by traffic delay over 'glitches'

The opening of Dorset's new Twin Sails Bridge to traffic has been delayed.

Thousands watched as the first people crossed the lifting bridge, which spans Backwater Channel between Hamworthy and Poole port, at the weekend.

The £37m structure was supposed to open to traffic earlier but "small glitches" have delayed the plans.

The council leader said it will definitely open to motorists by the official opening ceremony on 9 March but they hoped it would be sooner.

Councillor Elaine Atkinson added: "There have been some small commissioning glitches... we want to make sure absolutely everything is spot on.

"It will be opened to traffic by the official opening, if we can open it earlier we will."

She said the community event over the weekend was a great success.

"We think there were over 10,000 people who came on Saturday, more than we ever expected.

"Watching the bridge operate is such a spectacle."

The bridge will unlock 26 hectares of brownfield land in the area.

The Princess Royal will be visiting the Twin Sails Bridge on 12 March.