Locals are angry at lost business because of Tintagel bridge delays

The £4 million project was originally due to open this spring. Credit: ITV News

Business owners in Tintagel, Cornwall say they're losing trade because of a 3 month delay to Tintagel Castle's new footbridge.

The £4 million project was originally due to open this spring.

English Heritage say the build isn't likely to be finished until late June or July.

The castle has been closed since October and some local shops say business is half what it should be at this time.

Work on the foundations of a new contemporary footbridge that will span the gap between the mainland and Tintagel's island continues, but by now local people had expected to see this suspension bridge in place.

Businesses say the continued closure of the historic site is impacting tourism.

Businesses say the continued closure of the historic site is impacting tourism. Credit: ITV News

Some tour groups who would have visited at this time of year have been rescheduled for the autumn.

The bridge is part of a scheme to reduce queueing at the historic site which attracts 250,000 people a year. Credit: ITV News

The bridge is part of a scheme to reduce queueing at the historic site which attracts 250,000 people a year.

Up to 3,000 people a day use the current narrow steps and wooden bridge.

The new cantilevered design was chosen in 2015. At the time it faced some criticism over the impact on the landscape.

Then in October English Heritage closed the castle, island and beach area of the attraction to allow building works to happen throughout the winter.

The huge cable crane currently at the site isn't part of the bridge. Credit: ITV News

The huge cable crane currently at the site isn't part of the bridge. It was constructed to transport building supplies overhead to the challenging site.

Sections of the giant steel bridge will begin arriving in June and English Heritage says it will be announcing an official opening date in the next few weeks.