£1.2m Hengistbury Head Storm Repairs Start

8 September 2014, 06:39

£1.2 million works start today, repairing storm damage at Hengistbury Head in Dorset.

Bournemouth Borough Council has been granted the money by the Government to fix storm damage caused last winter to the coastline.

Councillor David Smith, Cabinet Member for Planning and Environment at Bournemouth Borough Council, said:

“Securing this investment is great news for Bournemouth following the severe weather we experienced last winter. These coastal protection works will be vital in helping us recover from the damage caused by the storms, prevent coastal erosion and to ensure that we reinforce our sea defences in time for next winter.

"I am delighted that we are going to be able to deliver these repairs fully funded by Government with no cost to the council taxpayer.”

The headland at Hengistbury bore the brunt of the bad winter weather and subsequently suffered considerable damage. The works will include the repair and rebuilding of three rock groynes at Hengistbury Head; the refilling and reinforcing of the rock-filled bank (gabion revetment) at Double Dykes; and the repair of the rock structure to the Long Groyne at Hengistbury Head, itself badly damaged by waves caused by the winter storms.

The Council made a successful claim for Flood Defence Grant in Aid (FGDiA) funding from the Environment Agency for the work and has been awarded £2,670,000. In addition to the initial £1.23 million allocated to these Emergency Coast Protection Works, a further £1.44 million will be similarly available for Urgent Beach Replenishment works programmed for 2015/16.

The Cabinet Member for Tourism, Leisure and Culture, Councillor Lawrence Williams, commented:

“We will really benefit from this Government money here in Bournemouth. Last winter our coastline was battered by relentless rain, strong gales and exceptionally high tides. The public will recall the damage caused to nearly 400 Bournemouth beach huts in February this year but the bad weather also had a major impact on our coastal defences.

"These much-needed repairs to the groynes and the rock-filled revetment at Hengistbury Head will help protect our beautiful beaches for everyone to enjoy.”

The coastal defence repairs start today (Monday 8 September) and are scheduled to take eight weeks to complete.