Bailey’s Bay Bridge in Hamilton Parish will be closed from Thursday to address safety concerns over exposed fibreglass on the bridge’s railings.

The alarm was raised after families complained on social media of getting skin irritations after touching the material on the railings, which no longer have protective covering.

One mother posted a photograph online showing her young daughter’s skin with red blotches that appeared after she had been leaning on the bridge.

Others commented that they had the same experience, which was also reported last August about another family.

The bridge project is supported by a partnership between the Government and the group Friends of Bermuda Railway Trail, and the maintenance of the bridge is the responsibility of the Department of Parks.

Tonight a spokesman for the department urged members of the public to stay away from the bridge.

He said: “Members of the public are strongly advised to immediately refrain from approaching the bridge due to potential safety risks.

“Signs and barriers will be erected by Thursday to ensure the closure is clearly communicated and enforced.

“To rectify this issue, the department is sourcing overseas coating materials to repair the railings.”

The spokesman did not say for how long the bridge will be closed, but added: “The Department of Parks understands the inconvenience this closure may cause and apologises to the public.

“The community's understanding and co-operation are appreciated as efforts are made to improve this important community asset.”

Last Friday, a team from the department conducted an inspection of the bridge and began contacting contractors “to promptly address the issue".

Tucker Murphy, of the FBRT, who was involved in the building of the bridge, told The Royal Gazette last summer that a specific finish was required for fibreglass.

He said then in reference to when the bridge was completed in 2014: “It was finished once — then there was an additional finish.”