A Dorset-based web developer has submitted plans for a pedestrian tunnel beneath Poole Harbour linking Sandbanks and Studland as his entry into a competition run by Elon Musk’s private tunnelling firm, The Boring Company. As part of the Tunnel Vision Challenge the proposal would see the construction of up to 1 mile of tunnel at no cost to the public, with the design limited to walkers and cyclists rather than motor vehicles, says Bournemouth One.

Aaron Gibson is behind the submission and says he wanted to “have a go” rather than see the opportunity pass without any representation from the area. He has stressed that the scheme would not replace the Sandbanks Ferry and would not draw on council budgets, with construction covered by the company and ongoing maintenance expected to come from active travel funding streams.

Mr Gibson says he carried out research into geology, ecology, the Swash Channel and land ownership, and secured formal support from the Purbeck Transport Action Group along with interest from the National Trust.

While he accepts the chances of it being built are slim, he believes the discussion about transport links and long term investment around the harbour is “worth having”.

The winner will be announced on 23 March.

(Picture: Mapillary)