Crossing that bridge at last! (From Bournemouth Echo)

Crossing that bridge at last!

7:30am Saturday 13th March 2010 in

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FORMER prime minister Harold Wilson once described himself as an optimist who wore a raincoat. Over the past years, the same could be said about the Poole council team who have doggedly been pushing hard for the funding necessary for a new bridge despite seemingly endless setbacks on the way.

It became the bridge of sighs… but now the time has come to tear off the raincoats and whoop. After years of hoping and waiting, at last the government has put its signature on the £14.1 million pledged contribution that means the dream can become a reality.

Why is it so significant? Because it’s more than just a bridge. It unlocks huge investment that will see vital redevelopment, providing up to 5,000 jobs and 2,000 new homes, not to mention other benefits including a mile of new public waterfront, cafes, restaurants and hotels. And, of course, advantages for long-suffering motorists.

So this is a time for celebration but, with such potential to generate change, it’s vital that Poole council learns the lessons from the past. The centre redevelopment half a century ago provided great benefits but its concrete features didn’t exactly score straight 10s when it came to making the town attractive.

The Twin Sails Bridge, however, looks pleasingly elegant so let’s hope the development it delivers is equally stylish.

So well done to Poole council for its optimism and persistence that should pay dividends... and we should all now look forward to having a new Bridge in town.

(Just don’t mention that to John Terry.)