Cabinet greenlights £6 million upgrade plan for Poole’s Twin Sails and Poole Bridge
£6 million upgrade plan aims to extend lifespan and reduce unplanned repairs on key Poole bridges without increasing council tax
BCP Council’s cabinet has recommended a £6 million investment to improve the long-term durability and reliability of Poole Bridge and the Twin Sails bridges.
Both bridges play a crucial role in daily travel, carrying around 10,000 journeys each day. The proposed upgrades aim to extend the lifespan of key components and reduce the likelihood of unexpected repairs disrupting commuters.
The funding will come entirely from the strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), a capital fund contributed by developers, meaning no additional burden will be placed on council taxpayers.
The approved report outlines essential work scheduled to take place over the next three years. Before construction begins, specialist procurement and design work will be prioritised in the current financial year.
At Poole Bridge, efforts will focus on repairing corrosion damage by fixing affected steelwork and fully repainting the structure to protect it from further deterioration.
Meanwhile, Twin Sails will undergo mechanical upgrades to its lifting mechanism, which currently requires frequent maintenance. The improvements are expected to reduce ongoing maintenance needs.
The project also includes installing four new digital information panels, replacing the existing outdated electro-mechanical signs with more reliable, low-maintenance solid-state displays.
Cllr Andy Hadley, Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy, said: “We are pleased to have set out a clear plan to improve these vital links to Hamworthy and the Port of Poole.
“Earlier this year, reliability upgrades for Twin Sails and Poole Bridge were made a strategic spending priority. These recommendations show our commitment to the thousands of people who rely on the bridges daily - whether travelling by car, foot, bike, bus, or boat.”
The Cabinet recommended the use of £6 million in CIL funding on 16 July 2025, with the final decision expected at the Full Council meeting next week