The link bridge finally in place this morning

Workmen battled into the night to complete Gravesend's new moorings and ferry terminal.

The main pontoon - part of a £2.1 million investment by Gravesham council, Kent County Council and the European Community to attract more yachts to the town - was secured in place on Monday.

The final piece in the jigsaw was the 45-metre connecting bridge. It has to link the pontoon to the world's oldest cast-iron pier at the end of Gravesend High Street.

The problem was discovered at Northfleet where the various pieces had been made.

The bridge was lifted on to a waiting barge to float down the River Thames - only for the builders to discover that a safety railing on the barge left insufficient room for the link to be Yesterday's long wait

safely stowed for the short journey.

As the daylight faded, the railing was cut off by blow torches.

The barge eventually arrived nearly three hours late.

Working into the night

Floodlights were brought in to enable the bridge to be completed.

It is expected to be handed over to the council in a week.

Chris Bentley of The Embankment Marine and London River Moorings which will operate the moorings said it would be ready to accept the first boats in mid-April.

The Olympics investment is the only Thames mooring available to small boats before London.