A COMPLEX project to lift out Skew Bridge at Lake to take it away for refurbishment off-site will be undertaken from tomorrow (Tuesday).

A special rail-mounted crane will be used to lift the nine-tonne footbridge from its foundations. It will then be dismantled into three sections in nearby Winchester House car park and transported to a specialist company for refurbishment before coming back to be hoisted into place.

The work will take place between 9am tomorrow (Tuesday) and 5pm on Thursday.

The refurbished bridge should be back in place around early June.

Jason Boulter, Island Roads project manager, said: “It is the first time we have lifted out a railway footbridge in this manner and it has taken a lot of planning and discussions to arrive at this point.

“But we are looking forward to the challenge and will be seeking to get the refurbished bridge back in situ as soon as practicable.”

The road will be closed during the operation, for the three days, with a signed diversion in place.

The current pedestrian crossing arrangements that have necessitated two way-lights will remain in place until the refurbished bridge is opened.

The bridge is one of two that cross the railway between Lake and Shanklin being refurbished this year. Work at nearby Alresford Bridge was completed earlier this month.