Harbour footbridge reopens after maintenance

A footbridge offering pedestrian access across a harbour in the west of the Isle of Man has reopened after a five-week closure for maintenance works.

Fenella Footbridge, which connects Peel Castle with the promenade, had been out of operation since 8 September for works on the hydraulic system and to be repainted.

Originally estimated to take four weeks, the closure was extended after works on the 20-year-old structure "proved more challenging than expected".

The works had seen the 14-tonne bridge deck lifted out of the harbour by crane and placed on a stone pier nearby to allow its hydraulic systems to be overhauled.

The Department of Infrastructure said the deck had been lifted back into place last week and, following testing of the electrical and hydraulic control systems, the bridge was reopened late on Monday.

Although some "ancillary work" would continue on the periphery of the site throughout the week, it would not affect access to the bridge or its operations, the department said.

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