IT'S a visible mark on Birkenhead's landscape and has been a recent source of frustration for many of the borough’s motorists.

The dock bridge that will soon connect Birkenhead and Wallasey via Tower Road has been sat visible to the public for months, with many questioning when the structure, which will link Alfred Dock and East Float, will finally be put in place.

It's caused motorists, who previously used the bridge, to find other routes, often adding on time to their journeys.

The project began in spring last year, and it was hoped the bridge would reopen to traffic on March 26 – a fortnight ago.

But it's still sat unused in Dawnus Construction’s yard, visible to all around the area – not least motorists on Dock Road – with its significant height and prominent red paintwork.

Since the start of the year, people have been taking to social media to ask the council about the scheme’s progress.

When contacted, a Wirral council spokesman said a new date to "float" the bridge into position had been arranged – over five days from this Sunday, April 22.

He explained: "After that, there will be a period of time for the contractor, Dawnus, to carry out further works and test the bridge is all working fine before it will reopen to traffic.

"We haven't been given a date for the reopening as yet."

The construction of the bridge has already been completed, but to put it into position, permission is needed from the land owners, Peel Ports, which would mean closing the docks to shipping for a week.

That permission was granted to take place at the end of February, but because of bad weather, it was not possible to do.

Once all conditions are in place, the bridge, previously described as a "true engineering challenge" by Dawnus Construction director of north west Kevin Lucas, will be moved by barge and truck into place.