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Proposed Poole Bridge

I, too, congratulate the hon. Member for Poole (Mr. Syms) on securing this debate on the Poole bridge major transport scheme, which is sometimes known as the Twin Sails bridge scheme. It is an inspiring and iconic scheme, and both he and the hon. Member for Mid-Dorset and North Poole (Annette Brooke) covered its progress. I recognise the assiduous campaigners that they have been on this issue and the hard work that they have done. I recognise the need for there to be a crossing of this nature and for it to be iconic. I found it interesting to look through the history of Poole and to discover that there was a human settlement in the area well before the iron age. The area has been of critical importance as it has developed. Of course, the town's name became very important, particularly in the 12th century, as Poole developed as a major port, prospering on the wool trade. Indeed, by the 18th century it had become one of the busiest ports in the world. Things have changed, of course, as they do. I recognise exactly the description given of the beauty of the area—it is, of course, a major tourist site—and I can well remember going to visit as a schoolboy on holiday with my parents. I have been back since, which I shall mention shortly. Poole is the home of that highly respected and well-regarded institution, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, to which we owe so much for the work that it undertakes. I am the first to recognise that the scheme's journey has not been easy. It was given provisional approval by the Government back in December 2001 with a funding cap of £14.14 million from the Department for Transport. The approval was reaffirmed in February 2007 through the conditional approval process and now Poole, the promoting authority, is seeking the final full funding approval from the DFT with a capital contribution, still, of £14.14 million. Poole has certainly seen a massive transformation in recent years, leading it to become one of the most desirable places to live. When people hear of Poole, they often think, for example, of the sand dunes at Sandbanks, which is supposedly the fourth most expensive place in the world to live. However, I am equally the first to recognise that that snapshot view disguises the fact that Poole also has pockets of deprivation and areas that are ready for regeneration. The hon. Member for Poole mentioned a list of attributes of the scheme—using brownfield sites, bringing together isolated communities, and providing homes, jobs and better access to public transport, as well as walking and cycling opportunities—and I recognise many of those important considerations, which fall within our sustainable transport programme. The Poole bridge regeneration initiative core scheme seeks to boost regeneration opportunities by providing a new bridge over the Back Water channel. That bridge, along with associated roads, cycling and pedestrian links, will improve the access between Poole and the community of Hamworthy. Interestingly, Hamworthy has been critical in the development of what we now know as Poole. It was one of the first areas to be settled in the iron age, and the first railway station was opened there in 1847. It has clearly been important for transport purposes. It is not only the two hon. Members who have been at the forefront of the campaign; the schoolchildren of Hamworthy, too, were wading through the Transport and Works Act documents when I was looking through the various records. I had a very pleasant visit to Poole harbour last year to look at some of the issues. I met many of the hospitable and friendly staff. I also saw some of the things that have been identified today, such as the limitations of the existing crossing—the lifting bridge. I know and recognise some of the issues that arise from such a provision and, indeed, from the narrow roads that lead up it. The new bridge would undoubtedly help to improve the links, opening up 32 hectares of land for a mix of housing and employment uses. I commend the vision of Poole and its determination to ensure that the opportunity is secured. With such an opportunity, it is not unreasonable for hon. Members to question why the Department for Transport has not given the final funding approval. I shall explain why shortly, but before I do I want to set out the funding arrangements and how the Department has actively encouraged investment decisions in support of schemes such as that in Poole. As part of the 2006 regional funding allocation advice, the south-west region approached the Department for Transport and sought approval to set up a regional infrastructure fund. That fund is intended to support the delivery of key infrastructure that would release land for housing and employment opportunities—indeed, some 32 hectares have been identified in this case. The region asked for and received £30 million from the Department for that fund. Since 2009, the Department has increased that figure to £50 million for the regional development agency to determine where priorities would best be served. Hon. Members will recognise that that whole mechanism allows priorities to be identified, against many competing claims, for schemes throughout a region. I have always strongly believed that those who are closer to the areas to which demands relate are better placed to prioritise the requirements of a particular area. As a result of the innovative approach of the region and the Department, Poole will be the first recipient in the south-west of a sizeable regional infrastructure fund loan from the Government of £9.95 million, which the hon. Member for Poole has mentioned. That loan will bridge the funding gap from the current shortfall in section 106 developer contributions, thereby recognising the situation regarding progress in the current economic situation. As a result, housing and employment opportunities can be created that might otherwise have been temporarily or permanently stalled. The proposed direct grant of more than £14 million, in addition to the loan of nearly £10 million, conveys a clear message of support from the Department for Transport for the aspirations of Poole and its people, businesses and local leaders. I am conscious that Poole wants to move ahead with its regeneration plans as soon as possible and that it wants to secure an announcement about full funding approval. If Poole had submitted its business case in September 2009, as stated in the original advice to the Department for Transport in March 2009, we would not be having this debate. The Department has been enormously successful in encouraging local authorities and funding major transport schemes. All that has translated into on-the-ground delivery that is making a real difference to people's lives. With that success comes the need for close financial management to ensure that the overall transport programme remains affordable and well prioritised. I am sure that hon. Members would not disagree with that requirement. Therefore, we, along with Treasury colleagues, are examining expenditure for 2010-11. The Poole bridge scheme will be covered by that financial and programme management process, and we hope to make an announcement about it soon after those discussions have concluded. As I said, the hon. Gentleman has been an assiduous campaigner on the Poole scheme, and he has taken every opportunity to be in constant contact with officials and to meet and lobby Ministers on the scheme.