HOPES have been raised that the builders of Boscombe’s surf reef could soon be back to get it working.

The reef has been dogged by controversy since it opened in November 2009 and Bournemouth has been waiting for contractor ASR to return and improve it.

ASR has won a contract to design a reef in Ventura City, Southern California, despite the continued delay in getting Boscombe’s reef working. An independent report found the Boscombe reef was only four out of 11 performance targets. Its problems were compounded when it was revealed that part of the reef had deflated and broken away, which ASR has blamed on a boat strike.

But Boscombe West councillor Phil Stanley-Watts, who attended a briefing for Boscombe councillors last week, said he was now optimistic that ASR would be returning soon.

“They need to do something here if they’re going to build artificial reefs in other parts of the world,” he said.

“Hopefully they will come back and repair the surf reef within the next month.”

ASR is due to collect £150,000 for returning to fix the reef.

Cllr Stanley-Watts said: “I personally don’t want to see a penny more of council tax payers’ money spent on the reef. It’s all got to come from the £150,000.”

A statement from Tony Williams, Bournemouth council’s executive director for environment and economic services, said: “We are still in discussions with ASR. Discussions are extremely positive and we hope to make a formal announcement shortly.”