News

An exciting announcement was made today by the judging panel who have been deliberating over the final two design teams for the development of the town’s new harbour crossing. The Council’s Executive Committee on 10 December will make a recommendation to Council on 17 December for acceptance of the proposed design of the ‘Twin Sails’.

Following an extremely competitive process, consulting engineers Gifford & Partners with Wilkinson Eyre Architects and mechanical engineer Bennett have provided proposals for the spectacular design, which a specialist panel have agreed meets all of the tough criteria set by the Borough of Poole.

Cllr Bob Williams, Executive Portfolio Holder for Environment & Regeneration, said: "This is a huge milestone towards achieving a new harbour crossing for Poole. People across the Borough have been waiting for this for over 30 years and it is now starting to become a reality. It will be the catalyst for the complete regeneration of the Town. With a top design team ready to be recommended to Executive and Council, we are one giant step closer to seeing a new bridge for Poole."

A judging panel of Members, officers and specialists employed by the Council, spent an intensive day yesterday, listening to a final presentation and a Q & A session with the two teams that made it to the final selection process. The panel was then able to discuss and select the preferred design team. The primary criteria set out for the assessments were access; appearance; reliability; environmental impact; cost; time; community acceptance with other criteria including the profile and image of Poole and maintenance and operations.

Councillor Brian Ellis, Leader of the Labour group, said: "The final selection means we are another step closer to having our second harbour crossing. People in Poole have been waiting for this for a long time. It will create huge opportunities for the Lower Hamworthy and Old Town areas of Poole and bring regeneration to the whole area."

Councillor Ray Smith, Conservative Member, said: "This is a significant step in the regeneration of Poole. The quality of the designs we have seen are outstanding and signal just how important Poole’s second harbour crossing is. We will gain an effective and functional structure whilst at the same time, create the landmark that the people of Poole can be proud of."

For the final stage the two design teams were asked specifically to refine and develop how the bridge would appear at eye level 200metres south on the Hamworthy quayside and from the driver’s seat of a car 20metres away from the moving section. Also to provide details of how CCTV, traffic signals and other ancillary equipment will be incorporated within the design.

Gordon Clark, Director, Gifford and Partners, said: "This is fantastic news. We put together a winning team that have worked successfully on award winning bridges before and hoped we would get this far. It is a wonderful opportunity for us all and we really are thrilled and delighted."

Roger Zogolovitch, Architectural Advisor, said: "It was a pleasure to consider two first class designs for the new harbour crossing, both elegant and worthy of their setting, the winning scheme with its theme of raised sails emblematic of the town's great sailing tradition and lifestyle. I am confident that the winning bridge design will generate an iconic structure to be the pride of Poole."

Jim Eyre, Director, Wilkinson Eyre Architects, said: "It is an exciting opportunity and we look forward to building on the design work already undertaken to provide a unique and memorable bridge for Poole."

Nicholas Slocombe, Technical Director, Parsons Brinckerhoff Limited, said: "Both designs had outstanding qualities and both presentations were extremely professional and pursuasive, with each team clearly committed to their chosen solution. As a result, the decision between them was extremely difficult. I am sure that with the chosen design team we will see a first class bridge for Poole's second harbour crossing, enhancing the local environment and spurring redevelopment."

Members of the judging panel:
Councillor Bob Williams - Liberal Democrat
Councillor Brian Ellis - Labour
Councillor Ray Smith - Conservative
John McBride - Chief Executive
Jim Bright - Head of Transportation Services, Chair
John Rice - Engineering Manager
Ian Milner - Financial Services
Roger Zogolovitch - Architect
Geoff Wood - Public Arts Specialist
Mike Henderson - Chief Engineer, Qualter, Hall & Co. Limited
Nicholas J. Slocombe - Technical Director, Parsons Brinckerhoff Limited

For historical information about a second harbour crossing for Poole visit: boroughofpoole.com/regeneration