A NUMBER of residents have contacted me in recent weeks asking what the latest news is with the Pokesdown station campaign and the installation of much needed lifts.

In early September, Andrew Ardley from SWR attended a public meeting of the Boscombe Community Forum where he outlined the next stage of the project.

He stated that Network Rail has been commissioned by SWR to carry out a detailed design work for lifts using the existing shafts which would include a detailed assessment of the strength of the existing shaft steelwork.

In addition, a tendering exercise would be carried out to establish an accurate cost estimate for the scheme.

Mr Ardley went on to say that over the next nine months SWR, BCP Council and Network Rail would be drawing up a legal agreement ready to award contracts for lift construction towards the end of 2023.

Needless to say there was much frustration and disappointment in the room that the contracts would not be awarded for another 12 months or so especially with so many within the local community already having campaigned for over 11 years for a station that is fully accessible to all.

Rest assured having been part of this campaign since the outset I will continue to do all that I can along with many others across our community to ensure that this much needed installation work takes place at the very earliest opportunity.

Giving up is not an option that is for sure.

CLLR ANDY JONES

BCP Council