Published on Friday 13 September 2019
With the aim of increasing journey time reliability and improving traffic flow efficiency for all bridge users, BCP Council has revised its morning lifting schedule for Poole Bridge.
From next week (Monday 16 September 2019) the 5.30am, 6.30am and 7.30am lifts will be replaced with lifts at 6am and 7am. Focusing on fewer lifts during the peak morning travel times, the changes will help to alleviate congestion in Hamworthy and around the port of Poole. The changes are being made in response to additional demand on the local transport network which has followed technical faults on Poole’s Twin Sails lifting bridge.
Councillor Andy Hadley, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Transport and Infrastructure, said:
"We’ve identified the most optimal times to raise the bridge and we are confident that the revised Poole Bridge lifting schedule will have a positive effect on the network and ease congestion for those travelling to and from Hamworthy. This new schedule will remain in place until urgent repairs can be carried on Twin Sails Bridge. We apologise for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience.’’
Last month (3 August 2019) a second issue was identified on the Hamworthy side of the Twin Sails Bridge. On inspection it was decided there was serious risk of longer term damage to Twin Sails if it was kept in operation. To meet the statutory obligation to allow marine traffic to use the channel, the bridge has been kept in the upright position until repairs can be carried out in mid-autumn, pending the arrival of replacement parts.