• 1980s: Dorset County Council began preliminary investigation and design work.
Poole Council launches an international design competition for its Bridge to the Future.
• 1997 Labour government leads to a review of the programme.
The Bridge Action Team delivers a 25,000 strong petition to Parliament, the biggest ever in support of a road scheme but the £44m fixed bridge across Holes Bay is dropped.
• 1999 Borough of Poole investigates alternative harbour crossings.
• 2000 Local Transport Plan includes a bid for a second lifting bridge.
• End of 2001 After more than 30 years of campaigning by local people, government confirms £14.41m funding.
• 2002 International design competition launched, attracting a number of world class teams.
Gifford, with Wilkinson Eyre Architects and mechanical engineers Bennett, are appointed as the design team for Poole’s new bridge.
• 2004 Queen visits and sees a model of the unique Twin Sails Bridge.
• Summer 2005 Three week public inquiry.
• 2006 Transport and Works Act Order was granted, giving permission for the bridge.
• 2007 Difficulties finding all the necessary developer funding delay the £37m project
• 2008 SW Regional Development Agency steps in with £9.96m from the Regional Infrastructure Fund.
• 2010 Department for Transport confirms £14.14m funding plus £1.2m for preparation costs.
• May 2010 Construction starts.
• January 2011 Road link in Hamworthy built. Daily Echo visits Cleveland Bridge in Darlington to see the steel parts being fabricated
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