AT last Poole residents can get up close and personal with the mysterious goings-on across the Back Water Channel.

As the construction of the Twin Sails Bridge reaches out from the old power station site at Hamworthy towards the town centre, residents and visitors will be able to watch the work progress.

A public viewing platform on Hochtief’s construction site beside Wilkins Way off West Quay Road, had been officially opened by Poole’s new mayor, Cllr Graham Wilson, cutting his first red ribbon.

“The construction site in Hamworthy is a hive of activity with the main support piers nearing completion and I’m thrilled that the public will now be able to follow the development of this iconic bridge,” he said.

A couple delighted to get a closer look are Dennis Strand and Donna Hart from Upton, who have been keeping an eye on the construction of the £37m second harbour crossing.

“This is going to be great,” said Dennis. “I have been coming down here for weeks and been disappointed not to be able to get closer.

“I have been watching the bridge come down in sections and taking pictures.”

His daughter Georgina Strand, 14, is interested in the construction work and he said they would be visiting the viewing platform, which will have a display board and information, a couple of times a week.

Richard Bruton, Hochtief site manager, said: “They can see absolutely everything now.”

In the coming months they would narrow the channel and begin construction work on the east intermediate pier, he said.

“It’s going really well at the moment,” he added.

“We have started putting in the hydraulic pumps and power packs.”