WORK is due to begin on Monday on the long-anticipated rail crossing at Hamworthy, to the delight of residents who have waited 10 years for it to come about.

The £780,000 pedestrian and cycle crossing over the freight railway line to the port, will offer a safe and direct route from Blandford Road to Hamworthy Park.

Borough of Poole has been attempting to provide a crossing since the Harbour Reach development was built in 2007, although the need for it was agreed in 2005.

Pat Bullock, chairman of The Friends of Hamworthy Park said: "We have been waiting a long time for this. We re so pleased it is going to come to fruition. Monday is D-Day so we will keep our fingers crossed that it will start."

Work will kick off with Avon Construction drilling 20 bored piles to provide the bridge's foundations. This will take around six weeks and will be followed by the construction of the two approach ramps during September and October.

The single span ramped crossing will be constructed off site by CTS Bridges and delivered in sections in October and assembled on site for installation in November. The crossing will take around five months to complete and is due to open by the end of the year.

“Over the next five months we will begin to see this long awaited crossing take shape," said Cllr Ian Potter, cabinet portfolio holder for transportation.

"The design has been carefully thought out to blend in with the local area and the natural backdrop of the harbour. It’s hard to believe that by the end of the year, we will be looking forward to the exciting prospect of the first local residents being able to use this new crossing.”

Cllr Vishal Gupta, ward member for Hamworthy East said: "It will provide a vital link to Hamworthy Park from Harbour Reach and the regeneration sites."

Julian McLaughlin, head of transportation services said: "We have always wanted to provide a safe crossing for Hamworthy residents and with the initial delay now overcome it is good news to see that the contractor is about to start work. Residents will soon be able to see glimpses of how this new crossing will look when it is completed."