Sandys, a Minister said yesterday.

Works and Engineering Minister the Hon. Leonard Gibbons said that was one of the proposals his Ministry was considering after a malfunction Sunday halted traffic for more than an hour.

Mr. Gibbons said he visited the site yesterday morning and left instructions the bridge was to remain closed.

"It may be closed for some time while we research and try and locate the source of the electrical fault,'' he said.

Meantime, Mr. Gibbons said his Ministry was looking at several ideas to combat the problem. Among them was the idea of discarding the swing bridge style in favour of a design similar to the Watford bridge.

"That's just a thought at the moment,'' he added. "Obviously we are looking at designs of what bridges will be like in the future.

"We appreciate the fact that the bridge is a vital link.'' Sunday's problem inconvenienced motorists for more than an hour. A circuit breaker blew while the operator was closing the bridge shortly after 12 p.m., rendering it inoperable.

The United States Navy, which is in charge of maintaining the bridge, and the Works and Engineering mechanical division, which is responsible for operating it, were able to close it.

On June 1 a technician's error caused a delay at the bridge which caused a traffic jam that extended past the Swizzle Inn to the west, and east to Kindley Field Road.

Local travellers on auxiliary and motorcycles were still able to continue on their journey, although they had to walk their vehicle over the length of the bridge before starting it up on the other side.

A steady stream of tourists, who were keen not to miss their flights back home, left their taxis and crossed the bridge on foot carrying their own luggage.

An inexperienced operator was responsible for the malfunction which was fixed by a member of the United States Navy.

He was on a scooter and noticed the traffic jam. He made his way to the front of the line and helped to get the bridge operating once more.

The Hon. Leonard Gibbons