AFTER eight years of work and spiralling costs, Borough of Poole and Network Rail are no longer working on providing a pedestrian bridge at Hamworthy.

However the council has far from given up on the project to provide a much-needed bridge over the little-used port railway line to Hamworthy Park.

And a funding commitment has been made in the budget that goes to full council on Tuesday.

“This budget makes sure this scheme will be delivered,” said Andrew Flockhart, interim chief executive, Borough of Poole.

However the council will be seeking a return of the approximately £25,000 paid in fees to Network Rail, who after being involved since 2006 announced during the tender process in February 2014 that the line was leased to DB Schenker and the council needed to comply with their less onerous requirements.

A feasibility report was produced as long ago as 2007 and in August 2011 residents expressed a preference for a footbridge with ramps rather than steps and planning permission and NR approvals were sought.

Between 2011 and 2013 the estimated costs of the scheme rose from £304,000 to £705,000.

Julian McLaughlin, head of transportation services, Borough of Poole, said: “Although we are no longer working directly with Network Rail to provide a railway crossing at Hamworthy Park, both officers and members are in agreement that a bridge does need to be built in this location.

“We will be looking at alternative options and deciding the best way to progress this project following the delays and difficulties that have unfortunately been experienced.

“We will be requesting the money we have paid to Network Rail towards this project back in full.”

Pat Bullock, chairman of the Friends of Hamworthy Park, asked: “How much money has been spent and wasted on this railway bridge?

“I can’t see we are going to get it this year,” she said, adding that residents had not given up hope of getting a safe way to walk between busy Blandford Road and the park.