News

World class design team Gifford, Wilkinson Eyre and Bennett has been appointed by the Borough of Poole as the design team for Poole’s new bridge.

In addition to helping reduce congestion, the new £12m bridge is the key to a multi-million pound regeneration of Poole, helping to open up unused land for housing, jobs, shops and businesses.

The appointment follows an intensive process involving competing design teams who presented their ideas to a specialist judging panel on 25 November. Proposals for a spectacular ‘Twin Sails’ design by Consulting engineers Gifford & Partners with Wilkinson Eyre Architects and mechanical engineer Bennett met each of the tough criteria set including access; appearance; reliability; environmental impact; cost; time; maintenance; and community acceptance.

The team’s past experience includes the designing and building the award winning 'Blinking Eye' bridge at Gateshead which won the prestigious Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Stirling Prize earlier this year.

Cllr Bob Williams, Executive Portfolio Holder for Environment & Regeneration, said: "I am delighted that we have such a high quality design team who understand the specific needs we have in Poole. After waiting over 30years we can begin to see the reality of what the new bridge will deliver, not only in terms of reducing congestion, but as the catalyst for the most important regeneration the town has seen for a generation. Local people have fought hard to make this a reality. We now need to start the detailed work which will ensure that this key to Poole’s future not only brings forward new homes, jobs and businesses but is also the landmark which future generations can be proud of."

Work on the design of the bridge together with a public exhibition in the Dolphin Shopping Centre and at Area Committees will take place early next year. Work to build the new bridge is scheduled for 2005 and completion in 2006.

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