A CONTRACTOR will splash out £150,000 to replace glass panels on a £10 million footbridge because of the risk they may shatter.

Construction firm Osborne are to replace 150 glass panels on the Adur Ferry Bridge over the summer in response to cracks appearing in some panels last year.

Osborne delivery director Derek Thornhill has assured residents the bridge is safe and the replacement project is purely a precautionary measure.

The bridge will also be closed for most of next month as inspections are carried out on the bridge.

The action comes after a report at the end of last year which revealed that five of six glass panels on the bridge, which opened in November 2013, were due to a structural flaw in the glass.

The presence of nickel sulphide in the panels had caused them to shatter although vandalism was initially feared to be the cause and surveillance stepped up as a result. The work will mean that more than two thirds of the bridge’s 220 panels will be replaced during July and early August.

Council officials have assured residents that the work will not require any additional bridge closure and disruption to people using the bridge will be kept to a minimum.

The official added that the replacement is intended to be a “one-off” measure.

Councillor John O’Brien, West Sussex County Council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “It is important that these precautionary measures are taken now, which will help ensure the safe future of this wonderful community asset. People will still be able to use the bridge.”

Mr Thornhill said: “While we are confident that the existing glass panels are safe, we have taken the decision to replace a small number of them as a precautionary measure.

“We will endeavour to keep any disruption to a minimum but ask for your understanding and patience.”

The bridge will close from June 1 to June 30 between 9am and 5pm from Monday to Friday but will reopen at weekends.

During the closure, a free shuttle bus service will be operating every 15 minutes from both sides of the River Adur.

Background

The Adur Ferry Bridge was named following a public vote in 2013.

The Adur Ferry Bridge – 131 Votes The Coronation Bridge – 79 Votes The De Haura Bridge – 64 Votes The Jubilee Bridge – 39 Votes The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Bridge – 25 Votes