A VITAl road system feeding Poole’s Twin Sails Bridge will only operate one way, until sufficient funds have been raised for two-way traffic.

When drivers come off the new harbour crossing in the town centre, they will only be able to turn left, with sections of West Quay Road and West Street one-way only.

The first phase of the Marston/Bay Hog gyratory system will cost £1.2million but it will need another £2million to make it two-way, and that could be five years away or more.

That funding is dependent on developer contributions from regeneration sites such as the former power station land, which has yet to be built on.

“The main advantage of a one-way system is that in this instance they are using existing roads, by and large,” said Chris Francombe, transport policy manager, Borough of Poole.

“So, essentially it’s like having a dual-carriageway route up to West Street and West Quay Road, giving a lot more capacity.”

This should save the hundreds of thousands of pounds, which it would cost to re-shape the junction of the bridge with West Quay Road.

“If we actually build it now, we don’t have to waste £200,000 in digging up a junction we have only recently built,” he said.

As part of the scheme, planning permission is being sought to build a new road between West Quay Road and West Street along what is now the Marston Road dead-end.

It will go through an RNLI car park, involve the demolition of an old store building and come out beside the Queen Mary pub.

An estimated 12,000 vehicles a day will use the Marston Link, growing to 18,000 when the regeneration area is fully developed, and 2,000 pedestrians.

Poole Bridge’s current use is 19,000 vehicles and 700 walkers a day.

Councillor Ron Parker, cabinet portfolio holder for transport and the bridge said: “The Marston/Bay Hog gyratory will play an essential role in delivering a successful transport network in the town’s regeneration area.

“This scheme will considerably improve access routes to the Twin Sails Bridge for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles, and will accommodate the increased traffic from the major development sites proposed.”