MOTORISTS suffered long delays at the weekend when the main deck of the Tamar Bridge was closed to traffic – and more delays are likely to occur this weekend.

Only the cantilever lanes were open as planned maintenance took place from Friday night. The main deck will be closed again from 8pm today and is scheduled to reopen on Monday at 6am.

The Joint Tamar Bridge Authority said the queues during the weekend's works peaked on Saturday between 9.30am and 3pm, and on Sunday from 10am to 5pm. There was up to an hour's delay during some periods.

The authority received 30 complaints.

Saltash saw frustrated motorists queued along North Road, through Fore Street in the town centre, and in the tunnel. The traffic tailed back beyond the Carkeel Roundabout at peak times.

At a meeting of Saltash town council prior to the bridge closure, there was a complaint from Councillor Sue Hooper that the council had not been informed about the works and had to read about it in the press.

Complaint

Councillor James Shepherd said that October would have been a more sensible month for the closures and not in the middle of the holiday season.

Mayor Bill Phillips was to contact bridge manager David List, and letters of complaint were to be sent to the local MP and the two joint chairmen of the bridge authority expressing dissatisfaction at no advance warning of the lane closures.

David List, speaking to the Cornish Times, said the delays at the weekend were in line with what they were expecting.

'We were able to complete the bigger and more complex part of the works reopening the main bridge to traffic ahead of schedule at 11pm on Sunday as opposed to 6am on Monday,' he said. 'The weather was on our side and, with a good forecast for this weekend, we are quietly confident of finishing the works and should not need the contingency plan for a third weekend of closures.

'Residents in North Road at Saltash were sent letters in advance of the works.'

Mr List said July was chosen as good working conditions weather wise and long daylight hours were needed to complete the expansion joint replacement works, costing £200,000, as soon as possible.