Website and telephone payments Sunday 19 May
Our website and telephone payment systems are unavailable between 9am and 2pm on Sunday 19 May. You will not be able to pay for any council services on our website or over the phone during this time.
The current swing bridge was built in 1908. It links the upper and lower harbour areas and the east and west sides of the town. View the opening times.
The bridge spans 75ft and each section can be operated independently swinging horizontally.
The bridge opens on the hour and half hour on request on VHF channel 11.
It is manned for two hours either side of high water. While on duty the bridge operatives maintain a listening watch on VHF channels 11 and 16.
The first opening will be as soon as practical two hours before high water. The final opening will be 10 minutes prior to two hours after high water.
Worked example: High Water is 13.18 - the first opening will be 11.30 (allowing time for the operators to stop the traffic and open the bridge). The next openings, if requested will be: 12.00, 12.30, 13.00, 13.30, 14.00, 14.30, and the final opening will be 15.08.