Poole Harbour Bridge (Hansard, 18 February 1998)

§ Mr. Robert Syms (Poole)

I am here to present a petition requesting that Poole harbour bridge be maintained in the national roads programme. The bridge is vital for the future infrastructure of Poole. It has great public support throughout the borough and the district around Poole. It is needed for the sensible development of the port and to take traffic out of the centre and old town of Poole, so that people's quality of life is improved and the town's prosperity increases.

I do not wish to say much more on the context, as I secured an Adjournment debate at the end of last year and I am sure that the House is aware of the strong arguments in favour of the project. I briefly thank the people who organised the petition: the eight members of the bridge action team are Ann Stribley, Tony Gardner, Colin Cartwright, Bernard Ewart, Brian Leverett, Brian Ellis, Chris Bulteel and Graham Mason. I say a big "Thank you" to The Daily Echo, which is our main newspaper in the Bournemouth-Poole area and which gave much support to the campaign, and of course to Poole borough council, which always supported efforts to improve the prospects for the area.

The petition carries 24,536 names. It says: To the House of Commons The Petition of the people of Poole and District Declares that for the future prosperity of the Town, and for the relief of traffic congestion, there is an urgent need for an additional route into the Port of Poole. The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Secretary of State for Environment Transport and the Regions to retain within the National Roads Programme the proposal for the new Poole Harbour Bridge, and that its construction be scheduled as soon as may be practicable. And the Petitioners, being residents of, traders in and visitors to the Borough of Poole, remain Yours sincerely Not many projects in the national roads programme would attract 24,536 names in support.