Published on Tuesday 08 July 2025
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council will begin essential work this month to rebuild the Baiter sluice channel and preserve the salt-water lagoon at Poole Park - protecting this important wildlife haven and recreational facility for years to come.
The saltwater which feeds Poole Park Lagoon comes from Poole Harbour and passes through the sluice channel under Baiter Park and the railway line. It was built in the 1960s and is constructed of metal sheet piling topped with a reinforced concrete slab.
Due to the harsh saltwater environment, the sheet piling has heavily corroded along much of the channel and needs substantial repair.
The repair work to the sluice will ensure that the water quality in Poole Park lagoon is maintained with the high salinity levels needed to support the rare wildlife that lives in the muds and water.
Councillor Andy Hadley, Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy, said:
“It’s really exciting to see this work get underway. Poole Park lagoon is not only a much-loved community facility but also the habitat for several rare and endangered species.
“These works will help to preserve and enhance the biodiversity of the lagoon in the long term, to the benefit of people and wildlife.”
The works to reconstruct the structure, from Poole harbour to the railway line, will take place between 28 July – November 2025 and are being funded by the BCP Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).
Poole Harbour is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Protection Area (SPA) and is an internationally important site for over-wintering wildfowl and waders through the colder months. This means that any work likely to cause them disturbance cannot be carried out during winter.
These works require construction vehicles on site which means the water-front path and all access will be closed either side of the works site for the safety of the public.
Those walking or cycling from Poole Town and Baiter recreation ground, will be able to continue via the subway under the railway at the end of Catalena Drive, and a diversion alongside the lagoon in Poole Park.
Those coming from Whitecliff will be directed to use Keyhole Bridge to link to the above. Due to the expected increase in people accessing through this shared route, we are temporarily closing the bridge to motor vehicles for approximately three months.
This temporary closure of Keyhole bridge is to ensure the safety of pedestrians during the works, and it will reopen again to motor vehicles once the major works to the sluice channel are completed.