An East End tour boat operator claims he could go out of business if Government pushes ahead with plans to shut down the Swing Bridge.

And Jerry Correia of Ocean Breeze sail charters has also questioned why the bridge needs to be shut down for a full year, claiming that the bridge could remain open while maintenance is carried out.

Earlier this month Government confirmed that the bridge, at Ferry Reach and linking St David’s island to St George’s, will shut down for 12 months in order for maintenance work to be carried out.

It also claimed the move would save Government more than $160,000 in staffing costs.

But Mr Correia has suggested that any repair work that might have to be undertaken would only be minor and should not take so long.

And he asked if Government’s real intention was to keep the bridge shut permanently.

“They seem to have made the decision to shut it down without actually knowing what needs doing, so how can they tell that it needs to be closed for a year,” Mr Correia said.

“And the timing is questionable. If work does need to be done, why not start it at the beginning of the winter season rather than now?

Mr Correia said that, when cruise ships visited the town, he could conduct about 15 tours a week.

In recent years that number has been reduced to around three trips a week, and the closure of the bridge could force him to scrap his most popular excursion.

“I could go another route but it all depends on the wind direction,” he said.

“The problem is, this decision has been made without any consultation with the people who are affected by it. We’ve heard nothing from Government even though we have asked them for an explanation.

Mr Correia held a one-man protest under the bridge on Saturday.

Asked why other boat owners had failed to show their support, he claimed that they saw little point in protest because the decision had already been made.

“People are angry but the fact is they have been burned so many times they just feel defeated,” he said.

“Many think what’s the point in protesting if you’re not going to change their minds.

“They are being painted into a corner where they don’t know what to do. My concern is that if we give up and shut up, then the bridge could be closed permanently.”

Last week a Public Works Ministry spokesman said the bridge’s beams and cross bracing will get a tune-up as they have been affected by seawater, while the opening mechanism will also be checked.

The decision to shut the bridge was backed by St George’s mayor Garth Rothwell and St George’s North MP Kenneth Bascome, who said the closure was unfortunate but necessary.