The Millennium Bridge in Douglas will be closed to road and vessel traffic at various times between Monday August 19 and Sunday October 13 2019.

The lifting bridge at the eastern end of the harbour, which connects the North and South quays, will be closed between midnight and 6am to allow for repairs to the harbour flap gate and maintenance of the bridge towers.

Workers plan to remove the flap gate, which retains water in the inner harbour, and install ’stop logs’ to maintain the water level.

The bridge will be closed from midnight to 6am on the following dates on Monday August 19 and Tuesday August 20.

And in September it will be closed, again from midnight until 6am from Monday 2 until Thursday 5, Monday 9 until Thursday 12 and Friday 27 September until Sunday 13 October.

Contingency arrangements mean that the bridge may need to close on occasions between midnight and 6am on Wednesday August 21, Monday |September 16, and Tuesday September 17.

A Department of Infrastructure statement said: ’Preparatory works will require limited closures to vessels during the dates and times below. Once the flap gate is removed, vessel traffic will not be able to enter or exit the inner harbour from Friday September 27 until Sunday October 13.

’Repairs and maintenance to the bridge towers will also be carried out during these periods using a crane.

’All work will take place at night between midnight and 6am to minimise disruption for motorists and pedestrians.

’Although the closure of the bridge to vehicle traffic may not be required during all these times, it is advised that alternative routes are planned given other highway regeneration projects at Lord Street and Market Hill.’