WIRRAL's controversial Tower Road bridge, which saw delays of six months before it could reopen to the public, has been forced to close AGAIN.

The council confirmed the news on Wednesday, and it comes just two months after the red bridge connecting Birkenhead and Wallasey finally reopened.

According to a council spokesman, a "hydraulic fault" is affecting the mechanical operation, and it's not currently known when it will reopen.

He added: "Motorists are advised that the bridge is currently not in use while specialist engineers investigate the cause of the issue. Traffic is being diverted via Duke Street.”

It comes after a separate issue on Tuesday, when motorists took to social media claiming the bridge had closed on two different occasions, and engineers were reportedly seen carrying out maintenance work.

But it’s thought that was more of a “delay” in lowering the bridge than a closure.

The new bridge’s predecessor closed in March last year, when works began to replace it.

Until June this year, there had been no through traffic, despite the scheme being expected to take until the New Year to complete.

The replacement of this bridge, known as the “C” bridge, was alongside the “A” bridge replacement – the one closest to Wirral Met College.

The old bridges were replaced because of outdated features including height and weight restrictions, and were requiring more frequent and costly maintenance works to keep them functioning.

Wirral council said at the time that if the rate of deterioration had been allowed to continue, the route would very soon have become completely unsuitable for HGVs.

The initial delay to the project completion was caused by the discovery of an obstruction behind the dock walls – uncovered during excavation work – which meant the permanent foundation for the new “A” bridge had to be moved.

Wirral's Liberal Democrat group leader Phil Gilchrist told the Globe: "Months ago we were told there would be extensive testing.

"I will be demanding, rather than simply seeking, an explanation for the recent problems.

"Are the closures related to something that should have been found earlier?

"The project ended up substantially over budget, I have had a breakdown (excuse the pun) of the costs that are now falling on the public purse.  

"It does not make good reading."