PEEL’S Fenella Bridge footbridge over the harbour to Peel Castle will not be operated as frequently as normal from today (Thursday) due to ongoing problems with excessive wear on bearings.
The footbridge was examined earlier this year when the slewing ring bearings showed unexpected signs of what the Department of Infrastructure describes as “serious deterioration”. The Department has stressed that the footbridge is safe to use for pedestrians.
It was hoped that remedial works carried out at that time would solve the problem, but a new survey of the bearings recently has led to the DoI commissioning an independent review to investigate an ongoing problem.
The Department has brought in an external consulting engineer to “review the bridge’s design and operation in order to resolve the issue.”
A statement issued by the Department this morning said, “With the outcome of this review expected to take several weeks, as a precaution the Department is reducing the number of times the bridge is operated each day.”
Under the reduced operations, the bridge will normally be operated up to four times per tide, if required by boats, on the following basis:
1. Immediately following the flap gate lowering on a rising tide
2. Immediately prior to the flap gate rising on the falling tide
3. A maximum of two other occasions at the discretion of the Harbour Keeper or Marine Operations Centre, who can operate the bridge remotely
On each occasion of opening, the bridge may remain open for up to 30 minutes.
Additional swings will be operated as required by any critical or emergency situations that occur.
David Callister MLC, Political Member with responsibility for Harbours, said, ‘We recognise that the reduced operation will inconvenience, to some extent, both pedestrians and boat owners, and of course we apologise for this situation.
“However, we hope that the public will realise that we are seeking to achieve a balance between these competing demands while the issue with the bridge is resolved. We would also like to take this opportunity to reassure pedestrians that the bridge is safe to use.”
