Published on Tuesday 13 October 2020
Work is commencing on a two-year project to replace eight timber groynes along the Poole / Bournemouth boundary, to the eastern side of Durley Chine. These construction works form part of the Poole Bay beach management scheme which is designed to protect our coastline from erosion for the next 100 years.
The first part of this £1.9 million project is due to start on 26 October, with the work compound being set up the week before. Five groynes from the boundary to Middle Chine will be carefully deconstructed and replaced with four more evenly spaced ones. This work is due to finish in Spring 2021, subject to weather conditions and any Covid-19 restrictions, with work on the remaining four groynes planned to start in Autumn 2021.
In May 2020, the council received £33 million funding from the Environment Agency to progress the beach management scheme. The groynes, which need replacing every 25 years, help to retain the beach material moved by the waves and, along with sand re-nourishment, protect the seawalls and cliffs from erosion. Each new groyne will be constructed using a mix of new tropical hardwood timber and recycled tropical hardwood planking, from previously deconstructed timber groynes. The contractors, Suttle Projects Ltd will also work in accordance with the planning consent and Marine Management Organisation licence.
During the works, areas of the beach will be restricted for safety reasons, but access along the promenade will be maintained to allow residents and visitors to pass by safely.
Councillor Mark Anderson, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment, Cleansing and Waste commented:
"This work is vital to protect our local communities against coastal erosion and safeguard properties, highways and our local infrastructure for the next 100 years. The beach management scheme also supports our pledge towards a more sustainable environment, protecting and enhancing our outstanding natural environment for generations to come."
In early 2021, the council are also planning to re-nourish the beaches with sand, from Poole to Southbourne.
For more information, please visit the Poole Bay beach management scheme website.