IMPROVEMENT works on Walney's Jubilee Bridge are set to continue for at least another month.

Highways bosses said poor weather conditions and the increasingly extensive repairs needed to the bridge have made the project's original completion date of end of September impossible.

County Hall said traffic restrictions will now remain in place until the end of October.

The essential works involving the renewal of waterproofing on Jubilee Bridge is said to be subject to weather conditions.

Community leaders described the announcement as "unwelcome" but recognised the work was "essential" for the safety of all those using the bridge including drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

County councillor Keith Little apologised for the delay and said two-way traffic will continue to be maintained during the day.

County Councillor Frank Cassidy, of Walney South, said: "The works that are being carried out are not optional. They are essential for the safety of anyone using the bridge.

"It is an unwelcome development that the work will not conclude inline with the original plan but I hope Walneyites will understand that the work is essential.

"I hope drivers will show patience during the improvements."

The North and Central section of the bridge works have been completed.

Works on the South section of the bridge are now underway. However some extra time will be needed to finish this year’s work.

This is because significant additional remedial and repair works are required to some sections of the bridge deck before waterproofing can commence. In particular a number of repairs are required to the concrete bridge deck before waterproofing can be applied.

The full extent of this additional work only became clear following the removal of the road surface and it has had a subsequent knock-on effect on the waterproofing works schedule. As two way traffic needs to be maintained during the day, the council’s contractor Story Contracting, are restricted to working in a very narrow works area and it is not possible to switch onto other activities. Specialist contractors are required to undertake some of these repairs, whose availability may cause further delays, highways bosses said.

County Cllr Little said: “We had intended to complete the first phase of this vital maintenance work on Jubilee Bridge by the end of September. Unfortunately due to the condition of the bridge deck, a number of further repairs have been necessary before the re-waterproofing works could be carried out. We will continue to maintain two lanes of traffic on the bridge as much as possible during this period and apologise for any inconvenience.

“The county council is investing more than £4million on this project which will secure the future of Jubilee Bridge for many years to come.”