The legally-binding agreement between Eastbourne Borough Council and Premier Marinas, states that the bridge must be open for 'free and interrupted public access on foot'.

The public right of way can only be removed, and the bridge raised, for boats to pass underneath it.

Premier Marinas conducted a four-week trial beginning last month, for two weeks lifting the bridge at 15-minute intervals and for two weeks only when boats needed to pass.

The first two weeks left some pedestrians waiting for up to 15 minutes to cross the marina.

Janet Taylor, Premier Marinas marina manager, said, "We have now completed the trial of set bridge timings on the north bridge and would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding.

"The trial was aimed at gathering lifting data with the objective to improve the future management of the opening and closing of the North Bridge for both pedestrians and boat users and to have better control of the ongoing and increasing maintenance costs.

"The North Bridge will continue to be opened and closed on demand until further notice."

Ian Weeks, spokesman for Sovereign Harbour Residents' Association, said, "This is a victory for common sense and we are happy that people will no longer be inconvenienced."