WITH a brand new fast ferry sailing in and bulk cargoes booming, things are undoubtedly on an upward swing for the port of Poole.

Added to that Poole Harbour Commissioners are investing £15million into phased improvements and government has pledged £24million to improve road links.

Canford Cliffs and Sandbank’s “Millionaires Row” of multi-million pound properties contrast with Poole town high rises and areas of Turlin Moor or the Bourne Estate.

The 2011 census gave a population of 147,645 and the borough has the highest proportion of residents aged 65 plus of any urban area in England, with 30,200 aged 65-plus and a higher proportion than nationally of over 85s.

However 71.2 per cent were economically active, also higher than the national average, and around 50 per cent of Poole employees work in health, manufacturing, retail or education.

With its seaside setting, Poole’s quality of life offer is one of its major strengths. But the average annual income in 2010 at £23,955 was 10 per cent lower than the national figure and a shortage of skills impacts on the performance of the local economy.

It has been a Conservative seat since its creation in 1950 - and in its intial incarnation was Tory as far back as 1880.

The average house price in Poole, at £226,176 according to Land Registry figures, is 27 per cent higher than the national average.

Jobs, housing, education and health are among crucial issues which will likely be at the forefront of residents minds during the election campaign.

There is no doubt that the UK port sector suffered during the downturn in the economy but Jim Stewart, chief executive of Poole Harbour Commissioners has seen a “step change”.

“I think we are back to the same level of cargo that we had seen before the downturn,” he said.

He said: “Bulk cargo over the last four months has increased dramatically. March is a record in terms of the volume of cargo we have carried through the port.”

Cargoes include imports or exports of grain, animal food, steel and timber, clay, sand and gravel.

Also encouraging is Condor Ferries choosing to sail its £50million flagship Condor Liberation from Poole and Brittany Ferries giving the Barfleur a £10million engine update.

Six cruise ships, the largest number so far, have booked to visit the port this year and work is due to start after the summer on a new 200m quay which will be able to take larger vessels, in which a number of bulk carriers have shown an interest.

Just after the election, on May 9 and 10, the new Poole Harbour Boat Show takes place, due to become an annual event and a precursor to the European Maritime Day conference and Festival of the Sea in 2017.

What is good for the trust port is good for the town - an an economically diverse borough, ranging from areas of extreme wealth to those of multiple deprivation.