{{Use British English|date=October 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox bridge |bridge_name= Twin Sails Bridge |image=Twin sails bridge.jpg |caption=The Twin Sails Bridge under construction in November 2011 |official_name= |carries= |crosses= |locale= Poole, Dorset |owner= |maint= |id= |design= |fabricator=Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Company |mainspan= |length= {{convert|139|m|adj=on}} |width={{convert|10.8|m|adj=on}} |clearance= |below= |traffic= |open= |closed= |coordinates= {{coord|50.715282|-1.992932|region:GB_scale:10000|display=title,inline}} |toll= | map_type = | map_dot_label = | map_image = | map_size = | map_alt = | map_caption = }} The '''Twin Sails Bridge''' (also known as '''The Second Harbour Crossing''') is a double leaved bascule bridge in Poole, Dorset, England. The bridge provides a second road link from Poole Town Centre to Hamworthy. The intention is that the bridge will allow development of four major sites, two in Poole Town Centre and two in Hamworthy, including the old power station, which was closed in 1988.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|last=Serck |first=Linda |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-16839378 |title=Twin Sails Bridge divides opinion in Poole |publisher=BBC News |date=4 February 2011 |accessdate=6 February 2012}}</ref>
==Location== The bridge spans the Backwater Channel which links Holes Bay with Poole Harbour. The bridge and approach roads are connected to the junction of West Quay Road in the east and to urban feeder roads in the west.
==Design== The new bridge is intended to operate alongside the existing Poole Bridge with one of the bridges always open for vehicular traffic (except during closures for maintenance or in a marine emergency), the intention is that variable-message signs will direct traffic to the open bridge.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pooleconservatives.org/news/twin-sails-bridge-time-and-budget|title=Twin Sails Bridge – On Time And on Budget | Poole|publisher=Pooleconservatives.org|date=6 December 2012|accessdate=8 February 2012}}</ref> The bridge comprises a {{convert|10.8|m|adj=on}} wide carriageway with two vehicular lanes and two separate cycle lanes.<ref name="gifford1">{{cite web|url=http://www.ramboll.co.uk/projects/viewproject?projectid=6683CA49-A601-4A7C-9E0E-53BFC9861B8F|title=Twin Sails Bridge|publisher=Ramboll|accessdate=16 December 2012}}</ref> Additionally two {{convert|2.5|m|ft|0|adj=on}} wide footpaths are provided which cantilever from the bridge. The bridge is constructed in five spans, with a total length of roughly {{convert|139|m}}. The approaches comprise two {{convert|27|m|adj=on}} spans, the centre lifting span consists of two triangular leaves that span {{convert|23.4|m}} between the main bearings to provide a clear channel of {{convert|19|m}} when open.<ref name="gifford1"/> To permit the passage of boats through the navigation channel, the lift spans were planned to pivot to 88 degrees<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roadtraffic-technology.com/projects/twin-sails/ |title=Twin Sails Bridge |publisher=Road Traffic Technology |date=15 June 2011 |accessdate=8 February 2012}}</ref> powered by two hydraulic rams which operate up to 15 times per day<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.boroughofpoole.com/EasysiteWeb/getresource.axd?AssetID=6659&type=full&servicetype=Attachment |title=Twin Sails – Poole's bridge for the future |publisher=Borough of Poole |format=PDF |accessdate=8 February 2012}}</ref> and take two minutes to fully open.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/9307630.Twin_Sails_Bridge_rises_to_the_challenge/ |title=Twin Sails Bridge rises to the challenge |publisher=Daily Echo |date=15 October 2011 |accessdate=8 February 2012}}</ref> Two {{convert|55|m|adj=on}} high masts are fitted to the lifting leaves, the top two metres illuminated with white LED lights. <ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/districts/poole/9510714.Poole_s_Twin_Sails_Bridge_set_for_opening/ |title=Poole's Twin Sails Bridge set for opening |publisher=Daily Echo |date=3 February 2012 |accessdate=12 February 2012}}</ref> Four {{convert|7|m|adj=on}} high pillars housing the barriers, lights, speakers and traffic controls which link the bridge with the control room are located on the two fixed spans adjacent to the lifting section.
Hochtief (UK) Construction was awarded the £18.5 million contract for the construction of the bridge. The contract for the supply of around 900 tonnes of steel was awarded to Cleveland Bridge UK. Gifford UK (Ramboll) worked with Wilkinson Eyre Architects as lead design consultants. Metamont Ltd installed marine grade stainless steel balustrade including the variable colour DMX lighting.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roadtraffic-technology.com/projects/twin-sails/ |title=Twin Sails Bridge |publisher=Road Traffic Technology |date=15 June 2011 |accessdate=5 February 2012}}</ref>
==History== Plans for a new bridge date to the 1980s, with the second lifting bridge concept being suggested in 2000 after a fixed bridge crossing Holes Bay and linking with the A31 was cancelled by the government in 1998. The council submitted detailed plans to Department for Transport in 2004 and following a public inquiry in 2005,<ref>{{cite news | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/dorset/4283182.stm | title = Inquiry into town bridge | publisher = BBC News | access-date = 5 February 2012 | date=27 September 2005}}</ref> the £37 million<ref name="autogenerated1"/> ''Twin Sails'' bridge project was given approval in 2006/7 but construction was initially delayed due to a stalemate between the council and the land owners.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/dorset/4783115.stm | title = Twin bridge is given the go-ahead | publisher = BBC News | access-date = 5 February 2012 | date=11 August 2006}}</ref> After negotiations were settled in August 2009, there was a further delay in the allocation of the £14.14 million government grant which was finally agreed in March 2010.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.boroughofpoole.com/EasysiteWeb/getresource.axd?AssetID=8224&type=full&servicetype=Attachment | title = Twin Sails – 30-year history | accessdate = 12 February 2012 | date = 27 January 2011 | format = PDF | publisher = Borough of Poole}}</ref>
Construction began in May 2010 with completion and opening planned for late February 2012.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/5060040.Go_ahead_for_Poole_s_Twin_Sails_Bridge/| title = Go ahead for Poole's Twin Sails Bridge | date=13 March 2010 | publisher = Daily Echo | accessdate = 5 February 2012}}</ref> Problems with the road surface caused the bridge to remain closed although the opening ceremony and visit by The Princess Royal went ahead in early March 2012.<ref>{{cite news | first = Diana | last = Henderson | title = Twin Sails bridge: no solution yet as asphalt removed from road surface | date = 21 March 2012 | url = http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/9602758.Twin_Sails_bridge__no_solution_yet_as_asphalt_removed_from_road_surface/ | work = Bournemouth Echo | accessdate = 21 March 2012}}</ref> The bridge opened to traffic on 4 April 2012 after the road surface had been relaid, the first motor vehicle crossing at 9.38AM.<ref>{{cite news | first = Diana | last = Henderson | title = At last: Poole's Twin Sails bridge is to open to traffic | date = 4 April 2012 | url = http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/9630278.At_last__Poole_s_Twin_Sails_bridge_is_to_open_to_traffic/ | work = Bournemouth Echo | accessdate = 4 April 2012}}</ref> Problems with the bridge operation continued in the summer of 2012 with delays caused through the barrier operation and lifting mechanism as well as continuing defects in the road surface.<ref>{{cite news | first = Joanna | last = Codd | title = Council demands contractors fix Twin Sails Bridge after series of shutdowns | date = 12 July 2012 | url = http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/districts/poole/9812982.Council_demands_contractors_fix_Twin_Sails_Bridge_after_series_of_shutdowns/ | work = Bournemouth Echo | accessdate = 27 July 2012}}</ref>
The bridge was closed again beginning 16 November 2018 due to a hydraulic issue with its lifting mechanism.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/17256740.poole-council-has-agreed-a-financial-settlement-for-poole-bridge/|title=Construction firm WILL pay council for Poole Bridge problems|website=Bournemouth Echo|language=en|access-date=2018-11-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/17253397.twin-sails-bridge-in-poole-has-now-been-closed-for-over-a-week/|title=Report on Twin Sails bridge fault expected early next week, Poole councillor says|website=Bournemouth Echo|language=en|access-date=2018-11-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/17243155.twin-sails-bridge-closed-for-eight-days/|title='We don't know what's wrong or when the Twin Sails bridge will reopen'|website=Bournemouth Echo|language=en|access-date=2018-11-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2018-11-27/anger-at-lack-of-information-as-major-route-in-poole-remains-closed/|title=Anger at 'lack of information' as major route in Poole remains closed|work=ITV News|access-date=2018-11-28|language=en}}</ref>
In 2019 BCP Council, which Poole Borough Council was absorbed by, convened an emergency meeting due to the issues with the bridge becoming "unacceptable".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Emergency summit called after the Twin Sails Bridge breaks down... again|url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/17828803.emergency-summit-called-twin-sails-bridge-breaks/|access-date=2021-03-28|website=Bournemouth Echo|language=en}}</ref> The bridge remained closed due to technical problems<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-12-11|title=Poole's Twin Sails Bridge repairs halted after problems|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-dorset-55274523|access-date=2021-03-28}}</ref> up to 2020. These issues are apparently caused by the design<ref>{{Cite web|title=Twin Sails Bridge 'isn’t a maintenance problem, it is a design issue'|url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/18939690.twin-sails-bridge-woes-design-issue-says-councillor/|access-date=2021-03-28|website=Bournemouth Echo|language=en}}</ref> as the Twin Sails bridge is unusual compared to a typical bascule bridge.
On 16 January 2023, a section of the bridge snapped due to a technical fault.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Part of Twin Sails Bridge snapped during lift - with no word on when it will be fixed |url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/23254839.twin-sails-bridge-mast-broke-lifting-operation/ |access-date=2023-01-17 |website=Bournemouth Echo |language=en}}</ref>
Further technical problems caused lengthy closures during 2024 and 2025. These included a three-month closure starting in May 2024, followed by a further prolonged closure from August 2025 with the bridge most recently returning to service on 2 February 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-02 |title=Twin Sails bridge reopening after six-month closure |url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/25817000.twin-sails-bridge-reopening-six-month-closure/ |access-date=2026-05-15 |website=Bournemouth Echo |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-02 |title=Bridge reopens after closing for over five months |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwynzz12e45o |access-date=2026-05-15 |website=BBC News |language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist|colwidth=35em}}
==External links==
Category:Bridges in Dorset Category:Buildings and structures in Poole Category:Bascule bridges in England Category:Poole Harbour Category:Bridges completed in 2012 Category:2012 establishments in England