AFTER so many years of waiting, the big moment finally arrived at the weekend.

Poole’s new Twin Sails Bridge was opened amid much pomp and ceremony and thousands of people enjoyed the fine weather and the occasion to cross the structure for the very first time.

Much hard work – a lot of it behind the scenes – has taken place to make this event happen. For a number, it is a realisation of a dream they never thought would materialise. Poole now has a unique structure, which it can be proud of.

Sometimes we query where the vast sums of taxpayers’ money goes to. But today we can praise the foresight of all those who imagined what it would look like and made that vision a reality.

Let us now hope the next phase of the project, involving the regeneration of several neighbouring sites, will also prove a landmark moment.