4 The Third Bridge

“A bridge for all time” Finally in July 2001, with modern fibre-optic technology Twin Sails Alderman Herbert S Carter, and additional CCTV, the operation of the bridge was Mayor of , about 1927 moved to the Council’s control room at the Civic and the history of Centre. To date, it is estimated that the bridge has The bridge was officially opened 400,000 times and on one single day in 1988 Harbour crossings opened on Wednesday 9th 22,000 vehicles passed over the bridge. March 1927. The town in Poole The third enjoyed a carnival 5 atmosphere to celebrate the first toll-free bridge. Schools were shut for the day “The building of Twin Sails Bridge is a defining moment and shops closed early. The local newspaper in the history of Poole”, reported that more than 1,000 people gathered to Councillor Brian Leverett, Leader of Borough of Poole witness the ‘Excel’ sail through the bridge “amid Council 2003-2010 deafening cheers, hooting of sirens and firing rockets”. The Twin Sails Bridge is at the heart of Poole’s plans for the future and will unlock one of the largest The Cleveland Bridge and Engineering Company regeneration sites in the South West. Designed and designed and built the bridge. Until 1960 a full- engineered by Gifford, with Wilkinson Eyre Architects time bridge operator lived in and Bennetts, the creators of the Millennium Bridge in the bridge house and Gateshead, the Twin Sails Bridge is the first lifting bridge operated the lifting of its type and symbolises the aspirations of the town. machinery. Jack Howard was the last full-time operator When the bridge is lifted it will resemble the sails of a and in the Second World War yacht, reflecting Poole’s rich maritime heritage and he had to allow the Home presenting a unique and dramatic architectural Guard to practise winding Crowds at the opening of the feature. In its lowered position the bridge will offer views third Poole Bridge in 1927 the bridge manually to across the natural beauty of . prepare for possible power cuts. This was done by inserting two large winding keys into slots in the Construction of the bridge will present a complex towers. It took at least two people to wind each technical challenge for the principal contractor, key, all turning at the same rate. Hochtief (UK) Construction, an international provider of construction-related services. When completed the After 1960 the bridge was operated day and night Twin Sails Bridge will provide two carriageways, two by a team of operators based in the bridge bouse cycle lanes and two footways. Working alongside the and working on a shift rota. existing bridge it will open approximately 15 times Initially they lifted the bridge every day. from a control panel inside one of the bridge towers. This was later moved to the bridge house and CCTV cameras and Follow Poole Museum mechanical road barriers were Service on Twitter installed. The official opening of the third poolemuseum Poole Bridge in 1927 @

Designers and Contractor Achitects Poole Museum Engineers 4 High Street, Poole BH15 1BW www.boroughofpoole.com/museums Crossing from Quay to Quay 1 The Ferry Service The Lord of Canford Manor, the Hon. William Francis Spencer The Twin Sails Bridge will open to the public in 2012. One of the earliest solutions to Ponsonby, paid £9,611 for the The bridge, one of the biggest engineering projects in crossing the Little Channel was the wooden bridge, which opened post-war Poole, is a world-class design reflecting passage boat that travelled between in 1837. Vessels could pass Poole’s maritime and industrial heritage. and Poole Quay from as through this bridge as the List of toll charges in 1884 early as the 1700s. It was hauled by a centre span could be swung Poole Town and Lower Hamworthy are rope stretched from one side to the open by hand. separated by a stretch of water called other. The service continued Little Channel down-stream of the throughout the day. Local people Tolls were charged for use of the bridge. It was very existing bridge, and Back Water could pay an annual charge to cross narrow with a road measuring 80 inches (2m) wide and Channel up-stream into Holes Bay. The ferry in about 1920 and visitors paid for each crossing. a footpath only 20 inches (0.5m) wide. As the tide ebbs and flows millions of gallons of water go in and out of Holes After the first bridge was built a 3 The Second Bridge Bay twice a day via these channels, rowing boat took over from the rope preventing them from silting up. Ships ferry. George Davis and his son ran a The first bridge lasted until 1885

Detail from Poole have used these channels since the regular service and from the 1950s when concerns were raised Harbour chart, 1849 Roman Invasion of AD43 and Poole’s Bill Alpens ran a ferry on demand. about its safety. It was replaced historic port was built on their banks. The final ferry to operate was the by an iron-girder swing bridge Shipwrights’ Arms Passage Ferry. with a gear system that was The Twin Sails Bridge is the latest solution to the age- 1751 Sir Peter Thompson map operated by hand. Both sides of extract showing “The Passage 2 old problem of crossing from Poole Town to Lower The First Bridge Boat, Drawn by a Rope” the bridge were wound open Hamworthy. separately until they were at “A bridge from Poole to Hamworthy The second Poole Bridge right-angles to the road. would be of great public utility, more especially to the inhabitants This bridge was run by a private company and, like its of this town.” Corporation meeting, predecessor, required payment of a toll to cross. It was July 1833 a full-time job to collect tolls and open the bridge when requested. A bridge attendant was on duty 24 The decision to build the first bridge hours a day, seven days a week. The 1891 Census lists Engraving of the first Poole Bridge by Philip Brannon, 1855 was surrounded by much debate James Allen, the toll-bridge keeper, living in the bridge and disagreement. Poole house with his wife Frances. Corporation refused to fund a bridge, detailing a number of problems including an influx of beggars and Locals made a sport out of crossing without paying. congested roads. People would run across the bridge as it was opened and closed. They would also risk getting wet by crossing hand over hand underneath the bridge.