Four timber groynes by Bournemouth Pier to be replaced

This year, starting in October, the two groynes closest to Bournemouth Pier will be replaced at East Cliff, while early next year two more will be replaced at West Cliff.

The BCP Council project forms part of the Poole Bay Beach Management Scheme, which is designed to protect the coastline from flooding and erosion – as well as making it more resilient to predicted sea level rise for the next 100 years.

Contractors J T Mackley will be on site from October 9 to begin work in which they will carefully deconstruct and replace the four life-expired timber groynes with four new, more evenly spaced ones.

Timber groyne renewal works plan either side of Bournemouth Pier. Picture: BCP Council (Image: BCP Council)

Each new groyne will be constructed using a mix of new tropical hardwood timber and recycled planking from previously deconstructed timber groynes.

The works are due to finish by the end of March next year.

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Councillor Mark Anderson, portfolio holder for environment, cleansing and waste, said: “In May 2020, the council received £33 million funding from the Environment Agency to progress the Beach Management Scheme across Poole and Bournemouth. The continuation of the groyne renewal programme is essential in ensuring we protect our local communities from coastal flooding and erosion.

“Timber groynes, which need replacing every 25 years, slow down the loss of beach material moved by waves and, along with beach re-nourishment, to protect the seawalls and cliffs. Without our groynes, our coastlines could erode by up to a metre each year.

Timber groyne renewal works in Bournemouth and Poole. Picture: BCP Council

“The order of the works have been planned in support of high profile public events and we are co-ordinating operations to minimise disruption to beach visitors and local businesses during these essential works.”

The promenade will remain open for the duration of the works but for safety reasons, the length of beach where works are taking place will be fenced off. All beach visitors are urged not to ignore safety signage.

In addition, visitors are warned that sand can become unstable when it is excavated around groynes meaning they should keep out of these zones even at low tide.

BCP Council added: “Our contractors will be on site during normal working hours. However, the teams work with the lowest tides on a rota system, and this may occur outside daylight hours. All works will be in accordance with planning and environmental consents.”