Ramsey’s Victorian swing bridge could remain closed for this year’s TT in June, after repair work uncovered unexpected problems.

The bridge was closed to pedestrian and vehicle traffic in September last year for repairs which were intitially expected to take three months at a cost of £750,000.

But in December it was announced by the government the work needed to repair the bridge was more extensive than expected and it would remain closed until March.

Now further problems have been found meaning the bridge is likely to remain closed during this year’s TT, and Ramsey Sprint which traditionally takes place on Mooragh Promenade on the Tuesday of race week.

Ports director Ann Reynolds said the current problem stemmed from poor repair work done on the bridge in the late 1980s or early 90s which had used inappropriately sized cogs in the turning mechanism.

Around 20 cogs are affected and if they are put back, the bridge would require further work - costing hundreds of thousands of pounds - in the future.

The more cost-effective option is to modify or replace them now rather than simply reassembling them.

She said they were aware the work could continue during TT and Ramsey Sprint.

Further work to paint the bridge and replace lighting, scheduled for the autumn may now be done during the current closure.




John Turner
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