THE route which Poole's second lifting bridge may take goes before councillors for approval on Tuesday (Sept 9).

Adopting a preferred route is a big step on the way to securing all the necessary permissions and £14.1 million of government funding.

From a signal-controlled junction at Rigler Road the line of the road goes through the old power station site, across the Twin Sails bridge at the Back Water Channel and emerges at an enlarged Wilkins Way junction.

The line across the power station site is variable, depending on proposals put forward by Gallagher to develop the land.

"It requires the demolition of three properties fronting Blandford Road," said Chris Francombe, transport policy manager, Borough of Poole.

"But this was required by the original government scheme so we hope that residents in that area will have been aware of this for some years," he added.

The overall cost of £43.7 million for the scheme allows for land costs including compulsory purchase, but Mr Francombe said this would be a last resort if landowner negotiations failed.

Meetings with the Department for Transport have clarified the situation over options for the government's flagship Private Finance Initiative.

The council has been asked to provide more information on a private company operating and maintaining both bridges and looking after street lighting.

The council has also received advice from the Office of the Deputy PM that a Transport and Works Act order should be sought for the new bridge and this could be applied for around Easter next year.

"We are moving in the right direction and we can carry on doing things to secure the order," said policy director Bernie Topham.

No regeneration development will be permitted in Hamworthy until the bridge and approach roads have been secured.

However on the town centre side things are moving ahead with the RNLI site, work starting on Asda and the Pitwines and Seldown sites under discussion.

"The bridge opens the door to opportunity for the renaissance of Poole," said Cllr Ron Parker, local economy portfolio holder.