A LISTED bridge could be restored to its former beauty if over £3 million is spent on it soon.

Canford Bridge, which carries traffic into Wimborne from the Bournemouth direction, is deteriorating rapidly, with the modern footbridge tacked on to its side being under particular threat.

A stand-alone foot and cycle bridge upstream is seen as the best solution to the problem, allowing the cantilevered footbridge - an eyesore which was added in 1964 - to be dismantled.

Then the bridge would be restored to its original state, pretty much as it looked in 1813 when it was finished, but better able to bear the weight it is subjected to.

The Borough of Poole has made an "exceptional maintenance bid" for £2.35 million to the Government Office of the South West and Dorset County Council will stump up the rest.

Principal manager Steve Tite from Poole borough said the scheme would provide enhanced facilities for all road user and also satisfy English Heritage in terms of preserving the integrity and appearance of the grade two listed arches.

"This will give us the opportunity to restore it to its original condition," he said.

"We're waiting now for the government to come back."

The answer is expected in December and a yes would mean work could start as soon as next year but chiefs have promised that traffic disruption would be kept to the minimum.

"It's not beyond reason that at some times it could be closed but we realise how important it is and we would have to be very careful," Mr Tite added.

If the bid is not successful, transport bosses say they may have to close the footbridge entirely and make a pedestrian/cycle crossing on the bridge itself.

This would entail reducing vehicular traffic to one lane, causing massive disruption, unacceptable delays and more congestion on other accesses into the Minster town, according to a DCC report.

First published: October 17