The refurbishment of Ross Swing Bridge commences on 5th January 2026
Work to refurbish Ross Bridge in Penzance begins on 5th January 2026. The project by Cornwall Council is expected to take 13 weeks. Wharf Road is due to be closed for the first four weeks whilst Ross Bridge is removed and a temporary bridge is installed.
Wharf Road will then re-open for the next four weeks with two-way traffic lights at the temporary bridge. The road will then close again for a final four weeks whilst the temporary bridge is removed and Ross Bridge is reinstalled.
In September 2024 a Principal Inspection of the bridge was carried out, which revealed that areas of the steel-work required repair and repainting. Although some areas were in better condition than others, it was determined that the entire steel-work on the structure must be refurbished.
The bridge will be dismantled and the existing concrete deck removed for recycling. The steel-work structure will be lifted on to a barge using a crane, then transported by sea to a dry dock facility at Falmouth, for specialist refurbishment. This will include inspection and maintenance of the hydraulic mechanisms which are used to shift lift and rotate the bridge in and out of position, shot blasting, refurbishment and repainting of the steel structure, masts, and stays, and new steel parapets and a new footway will be fabricated. The structure will then be transported back to Penzance, to be assembled and lifted back in to place, before resurfacing and the reinstatement of the pedestrian footway.
Whilst the refurbishment is underway, a temporary bridge will be installed, providing a single lane for vehicles (managed by traffic lights) with pedestrian access. However, road closures will be required for both the initial and final 3-4 week periods, to allow the bridge to be removed and the temporary one assembled, then vice versa. Short-term closures will also be needed periodically during the program, to enable the temporary bridge to be lifted, so that boats can access the dry dock.
Advanced warning signs will be in place ahead of each closure, together with a fully signposted diversion route (highlighted here in green).
The Dry Dock and other nearby businesses remain open as usual, throughout the project.
Overview and timeline of works and road closures
| WEEK 1 | ROAD CLOSED | Disconnect utilities, lighting & cabling etc, remove deck & non structural components, remove weighting systems and connections and prepare for lifting. |
| WEEK 2 | ||
| WEEK 3 | Controlled lift & removal for refurbishment. Lift temporary bridge in to place. | |
| WEEK 4 | Install and connect temporary bridge. | |
| WEEK 5 | ROAD OPEN | Single lane for vehicles, with two-way traffic lights and pedestrian access. Periodic short-term road closures to be advised, to allow lifting of the temporary bridge, giving access to the dry dock as required. Clearly signposted diversion route will be in place. |
| WEEK 6 | ||
| WEEK 7 | ||
| WEEK 8 | ||
| WEEK 9 | ||
| WEEK 10 | ROAD CLOSED | Preparation and disassembly of the temporary bridge, in readiness for it’s lifting and removal. |
| WEEK 11 | ||
| WEEK 12 | Install and connect refurbished bridge. Install deck and new surface. Carry out testing & certification in readiness for opening. | |
| WEEK 13 | ||
| WEEK 14 | ROAD OPEN | Open and return to normal service. |
