Bournemouth MP Tobias Ellwood has voiced concerns that BCP Council will not 'honour their promise' in funding the upgrade to Pokesdown station.

The Conservative politician said that the investment into the railway station on Christchurch Road is long overdue.'

In a meeting with the Minister of State at the Department for Transport, Hew Merriman, Mr Ellwood was guaranteed that the work would commence in the autumn.

He said: "I have been assured by all involved parties that on-site work will commence in October 2024, Once BCP Council have transferred the £2.6 million committed by the former Conservative council."

The proposed funding will be spent on the replacement of the old goods-only lifts with accessible passenger lifts that would then benefit all rail users, refurbishment works on the bridge across the railway line to connect both lifts and other much-needed modernisation of the Station facilities.

Mr Ellwood expressed concerns that the council might not keep their promise as a stakeholder in funding the redevelopment of the station.

He said: "The reason why I'm making noise is that the big fly in the ornament could potentially be the council because they need to retain their commitment of £2.6million as their side of the bargain.

"My real concern is that we are going to see the council make a U-turn on commitment to improve the lift.

"I am going to keep lobbying for it, but I am very nervous about this project.

"It is important that we keep the issue in the public domain, and it doesn't get pushed into the long grass and end up being delayed another financial year or excuses made for the money to be signed off elsewhere."

Together, Southwestern Railway and Network Rail have pledged a combined £3.1million and are reportedly 'keen to get crack on and meet their commitment.'

Mr Ellwood added: "This project has been a long, arduous struggle, given that there are so many stakeholders involved.

"It requires everyone leaning into this to make it happen.

"The poor residents of Bournemouth have been waiting a long time just for a working lift."

"Following the agreement of initial designs and cost estimates for the work by council members and partners, the next stage will involve going out to tender to find a suitable contractor to carry out construction.

A spokesperson for BCP Council said: "Whilst initial cost indications are positive, a final decision on whether the scheme can go ahead is dependent on market tender costs, which we expect to receive at the end of this month, into early March.

"BCP Council's contribution of up to £2.6m remains in place at this stage and will be utilised if the final project outlay surpasses the £3.1m being provided by both Network Rail and SWR.

"We expect to be able to provide a further update in April when the tenders have been assessed and funding agreements are in place."