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Delay over £14 million Poole Twin Sails bridge cash

8:50am Thursday 11th February 2010 in


FRUSTRATION is mounting over a delay in approving the £14.1 million government grant to build Poole’s Twin Sails Bridge.

Four weeks after Poole council sought the money, what was expected to be a mere formality has turned into a lengthy waiting game.

The Department for Transport agreed the grant in December 2001 and the council hoped for quick approval, intending to begin work on the £37m scheme this month.

All the required information has been submitted to the transport deparment and the funding approval is the final hurdle in a project which started 10 years ago.

Cllr Ron Parker, Poole’s cabinet member for the economy, described the delays as “frustrating”, but said the council remained optimistic.

Strategic director Jim Bright added: “We are in regular touch with the government and they are aware of the importance of the scheme to Poole. We hope the government will advise us of its decision in the next couple of weeks but they are unable to give us a definite date.”

The second harbour crossing project is essential to one of the largest regeneration areas in the south-west, of which the development of Hamworthy’s former power station site is a major part.

More than 40 per cent of Poole’s homes over the next 20-years will be delivered in the central area and more than 5,000 jobs created.

“We expect a positive outcome and are thankful for the support that we have received from our regional partners and especially the regional development agency,” said Cllr Parker.

Cllr Brian Clements, Liberal Democrat member of the town centre and bridge advisory group said: “I think it’s really disappointing. We were told we could expect a decision in January.

“Once the contract is awarded there’s a 10-day stand-still period. It doesn’t look as if we can see any activity on site before March.”

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Comments(14)

Mediclogan5 says...
9:54am Thu 11 Feb 10

Well there you have it ...BUT on the BBC the other night was an Amphibious Bus that can carry 45 passengers and looks like a bus and drives on land as well and I bet they don't sell at at 14 Million .....

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bgf2 says...
10:02am Thu 11 Feb 10

"More than 40 per cent of Poole’s homes over the next 20-years will be delivered in the central area" - you what!?

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Mediclogan5 says...
10:03am Thu 11 Feb 10

PS yes I know it only carries passengers but with two of these busses the freight traffic can go via Upton into Poole rather than the bridge freeing it up for cars and there won't be the need to carry busses across it, passengers can then be shuttled across to the new proposed development and to the harbour.freeing up the bridge for cars and taking out the coral of water traffic....simples.

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Syd Poumen says...
11:03am Thu 11 Feb 10

'we are thankful for the support we have received from .... the regional development agency' said Cllr Parker.
Would that be the regional development agency that your Conservatives want to get rid of, Cllr Parker?
Poole waited 30 years to get assistance for the Bridge from a Conservative Government, so I guess another 30 days won't be so bad.
Only problem is, Cllr Parker, now that Poole has lost the Barfleur, I suspect it will be considerably longer before your boat comes in!

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The-Bleeding-Obvious says...
1:01pm Thu 11 Feb 10

This is only two Imax cinemas! Bournemouth had the money sloshing around to buy the Imax, may be Poole could suddenly come up with the dosh?

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Fred Luton says...
2:18pm Thu 11 Feb 10

If the bridge is being delayed, what is happening with the new full time person Poole Council has just employed to work as a PR person on the bridge project?

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benjamin says...
3:25pm Thu 11 Feb 10

Is anyone surprised at this latest bit of news on the bridge saga? Let us hope that the powers that be sees some sense. If we need another bridge, then make it a fixed one. Maybe this will be the end of "twin sails"
Good security words. toll-wait.

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benjamin says...
3:27pm Thu 11 Feb 10

I cannot wait for these 5000 jobs that will be created!

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rainbowkisses says...
5:31pm Thu 11 Feb 10

Odds on this bridge, if it is ever built, will be late and over budget. Around the £50 million mark you think?

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tt52 says...
10:36pm Thu 11 Feb 10

Dig a tunnel, problem solved.

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upontown says...
10:40am Sat 13 Feb 10

How about a swing bridge?

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upontown says...
10:49am Sat 13 Feb 10

sorry i forgot this bit....

The second harbour crossing project is essential to one of the largest regeneration areas in the south-west, of which the development of Hamworthy’s former power station site is a major part.

More than 40 per cent of Poole’s homes over the next 20-years will be delivered in the central area and more than 5,000 jobs created.

And not forgetting the Carnaud metal box site which is soon up for development.

Getting a bit crowded like....

security word - seek hike....lol!

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All Seeing Eye says...
6:10pm Sat 13 Feb 10

If the council didn't waste so much money in other area's such as White Elephants, and employing 'consultants' when they employ people on very large salaries who I would expect to do the work of these 'consultants, then the government might look on Poole more favourably.

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Inner Sanctum says...
1:25pm Thu 18 Feb 10

Poole's missed the worst of the recession, if half of what is promised comes as a result of the bridge, it'll turn Poole into the boom-town it was when I moved here.

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More News stories


PROTESTS: Poole’s planned Twin Sails lifting bridge Big Plans: For the old Pilkington Tiles factory site in the regeneration area

HIGH AND DRY: Work on the Twin Sails bridge was planned to start this month but a £14.1million grant has yet to materialise

KNOCK-ON EFFECT: The Twin Sails bridge is a vital part of regeneration projects centred on the former power station site



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