Building work has started on the long-awaited rail crossing to accessing Hamworthy Park. The new cycle and pedestrian bridge over the freight railway line in Hamworthy will provide residents from the Harbour Reach development with easy access to their local park.
On-site preparations for the £780,000 project start with drilling of 20 bored piles to provide the crossing's foundations. The piling works will take around six weeks to complete and will be followed by construction of the two approach ramps during September and October.
The single span ramped crossing will be made off-site by CTS Bridges and delivered in sections to the site in October. The steel sections will be assembled on site ready for installation in November. The crossing is scheduled to be open to the public by the end of the year.
Avon Construction will do the work during normal working hours in a fenced off area toward the rear of the park so that people can continue to enjoy all the facilities in the park.
Conservative Councillor for Oakdale ward Ian Potter, the Borough of Poole cabinet portfolio holder for transportation, said: "Over the next five months we will begin to see this long-awaited crossing take shape. The design has been carefully thought out to blend in with the local area and the natural backdrop of the harbour. It's hard to believe that by the end of the year, we will be looking forward to the exciting prospect of the first local residents being able to use this new crossing."
Hamworthy East ward Councillor Vishal Gupta said: "On behalf of both Cllr Mike White and myself I really look forward to completion of this bridge. It will provide a vital link to Hamworthy Park from Harbour Reach and the regeneration sites."