New bridge in Dorset waits on funding

Date: 5/3/2010

A bridge that is designed to cross a section of Poole Harbour and connect Hamworthy with Poole port is waiting on £14 million of funding from the government, according to a news report.

The £37 million Twin Sails Bridge has a £9.96 million loan from the South West of England Regional Development Agency.

The Borough of Poole Council estimates that the bridge project could create up to 5,000 jobs and encourage development of homes, offices shops and community and leisure activities on 26 hectares of land.

According to BBC News, Annette Brooke, Lib Dem MP for Mid-Dorset and North Poole, told the House of Commons: "We've very proud of our town, Poole is a beautiful place. But it's not so beautiful when the whole town comes to a standstill."

She goes on to add that this is harmful to the local economy and to people who want to use their port.

Transport Minister Paul Clark told the BBC that a decision on the bridge would be taken soon.