Published on Wednesday 07 January 2026
January 2026 -
Cllr Andy Hadley, BCP Council Cabinet Member for Climate Response, Environment and Energy, said:
“We’ll be completing the remaining works on Twin Sails Bridge between 28 January and 1 February. Between 28-30 January, the bridge will remain in the lowered position. This will be followed by continued testing into the weekend of the 31 January 2026.
"Subject to successful completion of the repairs and adequate test lifts, the bridge will be re-opened to traffic and return to normal operation on 2 February.
"We would like to thank residents for their continued patience while we carry out these essential repairs.”
December 2025 -
Glynn Barton, Chief Operations Officer at BCP Council, said: “Work will begin on Twin Sails, as scheduled, on 15 December with the team installing key components before Christmas.
“There has been a delay, outside of the Council’s control, relating to a key process in the manufacturing of the components from our supplier. This process must happen to ensure the components meet the required safety standards needed to be installed.
“Our team will continue to work throughout December to ensure the bridge can return to use as soon as possible.
“We will keep residents updated on these repairs as we go.”
November 2025 -
Glynn Barton, Chief Operations Officer at BCP Council, said: “Work is due to commence on Twin Sails on 15 December and is anticipated to take around a week, subject to safety testing.
“Our teams have been carrying out as much preparatory work as possible whilst awaiting for the specialist materials required to arrive in early December.
“At their busiest, Twin Sails and Poole Bridge lift around 6,000 times each year and support more than 20,000 daily journeys.
“That’s precisely why, earlier this year, we announced £6million of funding for improvements to both Twin Sails and Poole bridge - as well as the VMS signage system.
“I know how important it is that we get this right for residents: and our team is fully committed to doing just that.”
October 2025 -
Our teams have been working with engineers to source the parts required for the repairs. These have now been procured, and our team is doing as much preparatory work as they can before the specialist material arrives.
These materials are expected to arrive in December and the final repairs will then be able to commence.
We understand how frustrating Twin Sails’ closure is for residents and, earlier this year, councillors approved £6million of funding for a long-term solution to the existing reliability issues, and this strategic work continues in parallel to the immediate repairs. This strategic work is funded by the Community Infrastructure Levy and will see changes made to the lifting mechanism to improve reliability.