Panels on the Adur Ferry Bridge to be replaced

About 150 glass panels are to be replaced on the Adur Ferry Bridge.

After cracks started appearing on a number of glass panels last year, West Sussex County Council’s contractor Osborne’s has decided to replace a number of the panels as a safety precaution.

Osborne’s will be carrying out the work during July and early August. This does not require any additional bridge closure and disruption to people using the bridge will be kept to a minimum.

County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, John O’Brien, 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 safely use the bridge as normal while the work is going on.”

Osborne Delivery Director Derek Thornhill said, “Whilst 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 whilst these works are being undertaken.”

Before the panels get replaced, the Adur Ferry Bridge will close to the public for an inspection. The closure will be in place from June 1 to June 30, between 9am and 5pm from Monday to Friday.

The bridge is reopening at weekends to support a number of events in the Shoreham-By-Sea area during June. It will open as normal on:

• Saturday, June 6 – Sunday, June 7 for Wild Life Festival, Shoreham Airport and Shoreham Fort Military History Weekend;
• Saturday, June 13 – Sunday, June 14 for Adur Festival’s Art Trail; and
• Saturday, June 20 – Sunday, June 21 for Beach Dreams Festival, Shoreham Beach.

Whenever the bridge is closed, a free shuttle bus service will be operating every 15 minutes from both sides of the River Adur.