AN additional £250,000 has been pledged by Borough of Poole to help deliver a much-delayed rail crossing at Hamworthy.

The council can now enter into an agreement with DB Schenker, the freight train operator granted a 125-year lease of the Hamworthy branch line which goes to the port, and appoint a civil engineering contractor.

The council has been striving to provide an additional bridge since the construction of the Harbour Reach development in 2007. The crossing will offer a direct and safe route to Hamworthy Park.

Following negotiations over several years with landowners, the council’s additional investment of £250,000 will cover a shortfall in funding to construct the crossing, which will cost approximately £780,000.

Work is scheduled to start in the summer aiming to open the new public crossing by the end of 2015.

Cllr Ian Potter, cabinet portfolio holder for transportation, Borough of Poole, said: “For many years now, the council has wanted to provide a safe crossing for those residents enjoying the facilities at Hamworthy Park.

“We’re delighted this additional investment with enable us to move this scheme forward.

“We are committed to providing a bridge for Hamworthy residents and we would like to thank everyone for their patience while we resolve these last few issues before construction can start.”

Cllr Mike White, ward member said: “This is a key project for the regeneration area.

“It is to the great credit of this council that we have finally given the green light without waiting for financial contributions to come from all the regeneration sites.”

Fellow ward member Cllr Charmaine Parkinson said it had been a frustrating journey: “Here’s hoping there are no further delays in having this vital crossing built.”