Removal of Sandwich Tollbridge could spell disaster over the summer, it is claimed - but one councillor says it’s an opportunity.

Kent County Council (KCC) has confirmed it is looking into a major overhaul to repair the problematic single lane swing bridge which runs over the River Stour.

It has not been reliably opened since December due to hydraulic and control issues, leaving the authority with little choice but to remove the bridge for repairs and stop all vehicle access.

A temporary pedestrian bridge, however, will be put in place.

But while some Sandwich Town councillors are concerned about the effect on businesses and also possible disruption over the August Bank Holiday, Cllr Michael 'MJ' Holloway was optimistic.

At Monday’s full council meeting he said: “This is quite significant news for the town, but isn’t this also an opportunity?

“Can we use this closure to do some sort of traffic measurement?

“A lot of people assume that the closure of the Tollbridge will mean disruption for Sandwich but perhaps this is an opportunity to test that and measure how it has an impact on the town.

“Part of the New Vision for Sandwich is a new pedestrian bridge which enables people to get across without the fear they currently have. This could be a proper scoping exercise.”

KCC councillor Sue Chandler acknowledged the possibility stating it would require funding, to which he responded that he believes the Town Team would “jump at the chance”.

In the mean time, Cllr Paul Carter requested clear diversion signs and signs to state businesses were still open, were put in place.

Cllr Lynne O’Donoghue asked if work had to take place over the August Bank Holiday, that extra car parking was set up on the north side of the river.

It is not yet known when the work would be carried out although Cllr Chandler confirmed it will be in the current financial year.

A KCC spokesman said: “The problems with the opening of the Toll Bridge are still ongoing.

“Despite our best efforts we have been unable to reliably open the bridge on demand and are looking into a major overhaul which would likely involve the removal of the swinging bridge for a period of time.

“If and when such an overhaul goes ahead, it is our intention to maintain pedestrian access across the river with a temporary pedestrian-only footbridge which could be opened to river traffic.

“It is likely, however, that vehicles would need be diverted via the A256 Sandwich bypass during the period the bridge deck is removed.

“Planning is at an early stage and we appreciate the disruption this could cause.

“Arrangements for a temporary pedestrian footbridge is being prioritised so it could be brought into action at short notice should problems with opening the bridge worsen.

“We will liaise with interested parties such as the town council before any overhaul takes place.”

-"It is likely, however, that vehicles would need be diverted via the A256 Sandwich bypass during the period the bridge deck is removed." - KCC spokesman

A spokesman for the Sandwich Port and Haven Commission (SPHC) added: “We are of course aware of, and regret, the disruption which will be caused in the town as a result of a lengthy closure of the bridge to road traffic but this is unavoidable.

“Rights of navigation, enshrined in law, give river traffic (which has no alternative exit from the river) precedence over road traffic.

“SPHC has a legal obligation to ensure that the river remains open for navigation at all times and the bridge is required to be open for river traffic on one hours notice 24/7.

“We are also urging KCC, as part of an overhaul of the bridge, to install a method of manual opening in the event of an electrical outage or mechanical failure.

“At present there is no working manual system, and this is a serious safety issue.”

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