The town centre of Poole needs an improved infrastructure to accommodate plans such as the £50m-plus Poole Gateway scheme.

This was one comment on the Daily Echo website following the story that the ambitious scheme to replace the railway station, and build a hotel, flats, offices and a new pedestrian/railway bridge over the railway line at Sterte, was back on track.

Planning permission was granted two years ago but the legal agreement has not been signed and the lengthy delay was due to the contract between landowners Network Rail and developers Kier Group and Bellwinch Homes having expired and needing to be redrawn.

Borough of Poole strategic director Jim Bright said such delays were to be expected with large, complex schemes like this development at the railway station and former goods yard in Serpentine Road.

John from Poole commented: "The town does need improvements in its infrastructure, if tourists and locals are not to continue going round in ever-decreasing circles."

He said: "The new harbour bridge has already been delayed for 30 years, in which time Britain has been through boom and bust.

"To blame global financial markets, after the last five years dithering by Poole Council in a period of economic boom is a joke."

RichT from Christchurch said: "I do think this plan is rather over-ambitious and will probably be cut down. Poole station does need improving though: unpleasant loos and a dingy, smelly underpass as the only way to cross the railway, for people who can't use the bridge."