News

The bridge will be closed to vehicles from midnight 8/9 June to midnight 6/7 July. During the closure, the bridge will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists who will be provided with a safe walkway across the structure. Works are due to be completed by 25 July 2003 but road traffic will not be affected for the remainder of the contract.

The work will involve the complete repainting of the structure in the borough's corporate blue colours, as featured on the 'Dolphin' logo and the replacement of the bevel gears on the underside of the bridge that control the lifting mechanism.

Jim Bright, Head of Transportation, said: "This is a major maintenance project vital to the upkeep of Poole's lifting bridge. The repairs and repainting will be completed as swiftly and efficiently as possible and we will be working with local people to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and ask that people co-operate with us to help ensure the works are completed on schedule. This will be the last significant repair the bridge will have to undergo until April 2004."

Advance signage has been placed on all major approach roads prior to the closure and the Council has contacted boat operators and residents in the vicinity of the bridge. Single leaf lifts, which limit the size of marine vessels passing through the bridge, will be in operation for the majority of the contract period. For up to date information on the latest roadworks visit: boroughofpoole.com/roadworks

Notes:

• Access will be retained other than for a number of night time closures between the hours of 11.30pm and 6.30am to carry out discrete pieces of work that require the structure to be in the open position

• Buses will be diverted around Holes Bay.
• The colours of the Borough of Poole logo are Pantone 294 (Dark Blue) (RAL - 5017) and Pantone 320 (Turquoise) (RAL - 5018)

Helen Rice, Principal Engineer, Transportation Services

Tel: (01202) 262009; e-mail: h.rice@poole.gov.uk