• 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