Engineers have been fine tuning the historic bridge during the last few days, ensuring the fittings are all properly bedded in.

A Works and Engineering spokesman said they had been concentrating on the wooden flap that opens to allow sailing ships to pass through from Ely's Harbour to the Great Sound.

They have been adjusting the flap so it sits exactly level in structure and also so it makes less noise as traffic passes over.

In addition, boulders which made up the temporary causeway around the site during the repair project are to be used for a pathway along the eastern edge of the bridge.

The path, which has been granted planning permission, will join up with the Railway Trail at the bridge and stretch for 180 feet.

It will be formed with the boulders taken from the causeway. They are to be sunk into the water and will be made high enough to escape the tide.