Bournemouth beach loses approximately 70,000 m3 of material annually (1 million m3 every 13 years). Since the predominant direction of longshore transport in Poole Bay is from west to east, sand gradually feeds the beaches at Southbourne and Hengistbury Head to the east, and beyond into Christchurch Bay.

The shoreline has been replenished on several occasions in recent years; these projects are referred to as 'Beach Improvement Schemes' (BIS):

In the past Bournemouth Council has carried out "boom & bust" replenishment schemes, where the beach is delivered with a large quantity of material (e.g. 1974/75) and left until much of it is lost before further replenishment (e.g. 1988/89).

BIS4.1 - The first stage of Beach Improvement Scheme 4 (2005/06) was part of a wider scheme that included the replenishment of beaches at Swanage and Poole using sand dredged from Poole Harbour.

BIS4.2 - the project continued at Bournemouth during the winter of 2006/2007 - between Boscombe and Alum Chine - using a further supply of sand from a Licensed Dredging Area off the Isle of Wight.

BIS4.3, BIS4.4 and BIS4.5 - during the three years 2008-2010 the council pledged to make good the annual losses to keep the beach at a constant level and volume (BIS4.3, BIS4.4 and BIS4.5). Replenishment was localised and took just a few days.

Beach replenishment work is undertaken during winter months in order to minimise disturbance to public access & enjoyment. 

About Bournemouth's Beach Improvement Schemes (BIS)

* included 15,000m3 stockpiled for the Boscombe surf reef