News

11 Feb 01

Renaissance in Poole

A £27million Government decision due in December is holding the key to a major renaissance in Poole.

Proposals to build a new Poole harbour bridge are awaiting a final decision from the Government this December. If successful, the £27million harbour crossing project could act as a catalyst for the regeneration of one of the South Coast’s most popular resorts.

With regeneration one of the Borough of Poole’s top priorities, the Council, with support from consultants Terence O’Rourke plc and KPMG, has submitted proposals which aim to reduce congestion, promote economic prosperity and provide new housing and leisure opportunities by providing better links between the Town Centre, Quay and Hamworthy.

If the bid for Government funding and approval is granted, the new bridge will unlock 30 Hectares of brownfield sites for residential, office, commercial and leisure space, more than double the public Quay, act as a vital tool to ease traffic flow both on the road and the water and provide 2,800 new house and flats and 6,400 new jobs. In addition the building of a modern, fast operating lifting bridge working in tandem with the existing bridge will provide a continuous link across the busy harbour and guarantee the enhancement of areas on both sides of the crossing.

An idyllic spot on the South Coast with award winning beaches, the second largest natural harbour in the world and a strong maritime heritage, Poole’s bid for a new harbour crossing has proved popular with residents, businesses and visitors alike.

Extensive consultation with local residents and stakeholders has developed a master plan and four key principles to ensure any new development in the area is kept in line with the character of the town. The scheme aims to create:

  • New homes for the whole community
  • Less congestion and frustration for people crossing the water
  • Greater public access to the waterfront
  • A greater variety of shops and cafes
  • Space for business
  • A boost to tourism and the local economy
  • More reliable and better integrated public transport
  • Better connections to the port
  • More reliable bridge lifts for boat users

Councillor Brian Clements, Leader of the Council, said: "A new bridge offers Poole the chance to develop a vibrant new heart and central area, creating jobs, more affordable housing and opportunities for business. Whilst waiting for the decision, we have already done some major work with local people to develop a master plan for the whole area which will ensure that any potential development is made with the town, residents and local businesses in mind. In this way we can respect what is so special about Poole whilst planning for a commercially sound future for everyone."

Economically diverse, one of the major factors remains affordable housing in an area which includes Sandbanks, widely quoted as the 4th most expensive place to live in the world. The provision of affordable housing has been one of the main cornerstones of the plan which also includes requirements for high quality design as seen in key developments already underway such as the award winning Dolphin Quays on Poole Quay.

John McBride, Policy Director, Borough of Poole, said: "Over the next couple of months we will be appointing specialist solicitors to support the process of precise planning that is needed not only for the bridge but the whole re-generation of Poole. We have carried out substantial planning and consultation and firmly believe that this bid has the best chance of success. With the legal process in place ready for the decision in December we should be able to move to the next stages immediately. A design and build competition will ensure that the quality of building and public spaces is of a very high standard which will remain something to be proud of way into the future".

 

Notes:

Poole’s campaign for a new harbour crossing

People in Poole have campaigned for 20 years for an alternative to the 1927 lifting bridge which regularly brings costly and miserable delays to the town. In the 1990s hopes were raised when the Government included a scheme for a new harbour crossing in the national Trunk Road Programme and sponsored an international design competition. However following a review of the programme the scheme was dropped and despite massive support which included a 25,000 signature petition and intense lobbying, the Government confirmed that the new harbour crossing was a local issue and not one of national priority.

In 1999, Councillors from all political parties agreed to intensify their effort to find a solution. The Council appointed two sets of consultants to advise them: the London based KPMG and the locally based Terence O’Rourke plc. Their brief was to re-examine all options for a second harbour crossing and advise on the implications for Poole. The consultants examined over thirteen different types of option for a second crossing ranging from doing nothing to various types of bridges and tunnels. The proposal of the advanced lifting bridge was agreed but it was stressed that, even though the Government has said the bridge is a local scheme, it will still need Government approval and so needs to meet their criteria.

An interim submission to the Government in July 2000 received an amber light, with requests for more detailed proposals. These together with plans of road layouts and the master plan were submitted in July 2001. The Government decision to approve and provide £14million funding towards the bridge is expected in December.

-ends-

 

Ruth Lawson, PR Officer (Media), Borough of Poole, tel: (01202) 633295

« Back Index Next »

Copyright © 2008 Borough of Poole - all other trademarks are acknowledged as belonging to their respective owners. All rights reserved.