MOST Poole people are celebrating our new bridge nearing completion.

However, the self-styled Poole People political party is circulating a leaflet complaining that “We have always said it is the wrong bridge in the wrong place”. I can’t avoid comparing their attitude with the late Cllr Dr Brian Leverett who was, without doubt, a Poole person born and bred. To his great credit, the former critic of the project became a convert after replacing me as Leader of the Council in 2003. Ironically, prior to that he is recorded as saying: “If this bridge is built in the wrong place, the town will grind to a standstill and this council will be blamed for the next 100 years.” (Daily Echo, April 26 2002).

After he was elected leader, Brian reviewed all options, concluded that Twin Sails was the only achievable scheme and gave it his full support. I challenge Poole People to identify any alternative and say how much it would have cost and how they would have achieved it.

CLLR BRIAN CLEMENTS, Palmerston Road, Poole