Repairs reveal more damage to lifting bridge

A programme of underwater surveys and work has been taking place since February to fill in holes found in the substructure of Poole Bridge.

The council received £1.2 million of government funding to rectify the badly damaged metal casings covering the concrete support columns, which have been eaten away by salt water and air.

An underwater survey in 2002 revealed areas where there was no steel left and in some places the concrete had been worn away to rubble.

To date an estimated £923,000 of the contract has been accounted for and work to crucial track span support columns has been successfully carried out, along with wrapping approach span columns and refurbishment to the Poole abutment and timber fendering.

However divers discovered holes in the structure lower down, around the bases of the track span columns and the Hamworthy abutment.

"We are finding corrosion in the steel further down the columns and some of that is due to the fabric of the steel itself," said Helen Rice, senior engineer, transportation services, Borough of Poole.

"It's exhibiting certain properties that lead you to believe some of the problems are due to the quality of the steel used in 1927," she said.

The bridge is not in an unsafe condition and further survey work is being carried out to ascertain what work is required.

If it cannot be completed with the £277,000 remaining in the contract, more government funding will be sought.

It is likely work will be carried out next year, although if the seabed needs to be disturbed, licences from the Crown Estate and Poole Harbour Commissioners could be required.

Drivers hardly noticed the work in progress this year but single leaf bridge lifts were held for boats.

The bridge was repainted in the borough's corporate colours of blue and turquoise in 2003 and remedial work to the underside - under the original contract - is due to be carried out next year.

First published: November 12