for the third time in less than four months.

The bridge failed to open from 10 a.m. yesterday, infuriating boat owners travelling in and out of Castle Harbour.

Road users encountered hold ups early on but visitors to the American Bermudian Friendship Festival were not affected by the problems.

The engineers from the public works department in the US Naval Air Station worked on the bridge throughout the afternoon while boats waited.

Engineers were not sure why the problem happened and are keen to make sure it does not re-occur.

The bridge had previously broken down in August and in June, less than 24 hours after a $1.8 million repair job.