Repairs Start On Storm-Damaged Poole Beach Groynes

18 March 2014, 08:24

The groynes along Poole's beaches are being repaired from today after being damaged in all the storms.

Borough of Poole says general maintenance will be carried out from Tuesday 18 March for at least one week.

The planned maintenance will involve realigning existing rocks which have been displaced by the recent storms and, where necessary, replacing some of the existing rocks with new ones.

The work will begin at Sandbanks, from the Haven Hotel to Shore Road, and then move on to Branksome Chine and Branksome Dene Chine.

During the works large machinery will be operating in the area. Access along the beach and promenade will be maintained, but people are asked to take care and ensure dogs are kept away from work areas.

Rock groynes help retain the sand and therefore provide wide beaches for coastal protection purposes.  

In Poole the rock groynes were constructed:

- in Sandbanks in 1996, from the Haven Hotel to the end of the Sandbanks Beach promenade  
- in 2001 from the end of the Sandbanks Beach promenade towards Shore Road Beach 
- in 2008/2009, from Branksome Chine Beach to Branksome Dene Chine Beach.

Councillor Xena Dion, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for a Prosperous and Sustainable Poole, Borough of Poole, said:

"Each year we lose a bit more of Poole's precious coastline due to erosion. So it is very important that we take every effort to preserve this resource both now and in the future.

"Our beaches are amongst the best in the world and attract thousands of visitors to the town each year. We are extremely proud of our beaches and want to keep them as special places for people to visit and enjoy."

The maintenance works will be carried out by local contractors Jenkins Marine.

Borough of Poole works with the Environment Agency to maintain its existing coastline. The Poole and Wareham Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy, developed by the Environment Agency in partnership with local authorities, identifies how tidal flood and erosion risks will be managed in and around Bournemouth, the whole of Poole Harbour, Wareham and Swanage over the next 100 years with an emphasis on the near future up to 2030.