Delay over £14 million Poole Twin Sails bridge cash (From Thisisdorset)
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Delay over £14 million Poole Twin Sails bridge cash
8:50am Thursday 11th February 2010 in Latest By Diana Henderson
FRUSTRATION is mounting over a delay in approving the £14.1 million government grant to build Poole’s Twin Sails Bridge.
Four weeks after Poole council sought the money, what was expected to be a mere formality has turned into a lengthy waiting game.
The Department for Transport agreed the grant in December 2001 and the council hoped for quick approval, intending to begin work on the £37m scheme this month.
All the required information has been submitted to the transport deparment and the funding approval is the final hurdle in a project which started 10 years ago.
Cllr Ron Parker, Poole’s cabinet member for the economy, described the delays as “frustrating”, but said the council remained optimistic.
Strategic director Jim Bright added: “We are in regular touch with the government and they are aware of the importance of the scheme to Poole. We hope the government will advise us of its decision in the next couple of weeks but they are unable to give us a definite date.”
The second harbour crossing project is essential to one of the largest regeneration areas in the south-west, of which the development of Hamworthy’s former power station site is a major part.
More than 40 per cent of Poole’s homes over the next 20-years will be delivered in the central area and more than 5,000 jobs created.
“We expect a positive outcome and are thankful for the support that we have received from our regional partners and especially the regional development agency,” said Cllr Parker.
Cllr Brian Clements, Liberal Democrat member of the town centre and bridge advisory group said: “I think it’s really disappointing. We were told we could expect a decision in January.
“Once the contract is awarded there’s a 10-day stand-still period. It doesn’t look as if we can see any activity on site before March.”
Comments(14)
bgf2
says...
10:02am Thu 11 Feb 10
Mediclogan5
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10:03am Thu 11 Feb 10
Syd Poumen
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11:03am Thu 11 Feb 10
Would that be the regional development agency that your Conservatives want to get rid of, Cllr Parker?
Poole waited 30 years to get assistance for the Bridge from a Conservative Government, so I guess another 30 days won't be so bad.
Only problem is, Cllr Parker, now that Poole has lost the Barfleur, I suspect it will be considerably longer before your boat comes in!
The-Bleeding-Obvious
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1:01pm Thu 11 Feb 10
Fred Luton
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2:18pm Thu 11 Feb 10
benjamin
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3:25pm Thu 11 Feb 10
Good security words. toll-wait.
benjamin
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3:27pm Thu 11 Feb 10
rainbowkisses
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5:31pm Thu 11 Feb 10
tt52
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10:36pm Thu 11 Feb 10
upontown
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10:40am Sat 13 Feb 10
upontown
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10:49am Sat 13 Feb 10
The second harbour crossing project is essential to one of the largest regeneration areas in the south-west, of which the development of Hamworthy’s former power station site is a major part.
More than 40 per cent of Poole’s homes over the next 20-years will be delivered in the central area and more than 5,000 jobs created.
And not forgetting the Carnaud metal box site which is soon up for development.
Getting a bit crowded like....
security word - seek hike....lol!
All Seeing Eye
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6:10pm Sat 13 Feb 10
Inner Sanctum
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1:25pm Thu 18 Feb 10
Mediclogan5 says...
9:54am Thu 11 Feb 10