ASSET MAINTENANCE

September – November 2024

Hamworthy Park Seawall (East) Repairs

We have started work to reinforce and refinish the eastern facing seawall which protects Hamworthy promenade and park from coastal flooding and erosion.

Project details & updates

September – November 2024

Groyne renewals at Hengistbury Head Beach

Two life-expired timber groynes at Hengistbury Head Beach are being replaced and strengthened with rock at the seaward end. The works are part of the Poole Bay Beach Management Scheme and we are making efficient use of the machinery and rock already on site for the Long Groyne upgrade.

The renewal works are expected to take 6-8 weeks depending on weather and tides. Normal site operational hours will be 7am – 7pm; but some working outside these may be needed around tides and daylight conditions. While the groyne renewals take place, the beach becomes a temporary construction site. Please follow safety signage, keep out of the works area and use the diversion path to pass the works. Do not enter or pass the construction zone along the water’s edge, even at low tide and keep dogs on leads.

October 2024

Whitley Lake – repairs to slipways and steps

From 14 October and using spring tides, repairs will be made at six locations to improve recreational access to the water frontage at Whitley Lake, Shore Road/Banks Road, Poole.

The extent of repairs are described in the gallery below. Funded by the Community Infrastructure Levy awarded to Sandbanks Community Group, works will be delivered by Avon Construction and are anticipated to take 2 weeks, depending on weather and tides.

Lake Pier rock armour at Hamworthy, Poole

Access improvements to the waterside and gateway just outside Ham Common Nature Reserve are underway. They include improving beach access by upgrading the path using recycled timbers from the groyne renewal works in Bournemouth.

Planning permission has been granted to protect Lake Pier car park and Pier head from coastal erosion. The works are designed to replace the life-expired gabion baskets with rock armour and are yet to be scheduled. 

Rock revetment replenishment at Holes Bay, Poole

We are planning to make repairs to the revetment that protects the shared cycle/footpath on the edge of Holes Bay. It is anticipated the works will take less than one week and access past the site will be maintained. New rocks will be added at key points to prevent this important route from being undermined by the tidal action of the sea water. Our photo shows how the sea has started to scour the edge of the footpath which would only continue to weaken over time if we did nothing.

September 2024

Groyne Marker Repairs – Christchurch beaches

Six groyne markers were installed by our contractors, Earlcote during the low spring tides along the Avon Beach & Friars Cliff Beach frontage, replacing those damaged during recent storms.

These replacement markers are trialling a new composite material shaped into 4 individual fins, as an alternative to the older style traditional cross-frame.

The images below illustrate the stages of installing a new groyne marker (18 – 19 September)

September 2024

Highcliffe Cliff Top Car Park Counterfort Drain Improvements

The counterfort drain system at Highcliffe has been improved to better remove water from the car park surface and cliff face to help reduce sea cliff erosion. Works also included ensuring that water can drain effectively at the bottom of the cliff and the existing scour hole on the track below the cliff was filled with 20 tonnes of crushed stone to match the  existing material.

February 2024

Gabion basket repairs at Double Dykes, near Hengistbury Head

Ahead of the repair and upgrade of Hengistbury Head Long Groyne, and to maintain the structural stability of the footpath, we reconstructed approx. 50 gabion baskets, damaged during the recent named storms. Works included re-packing stone and stitching new mesh onto the affected baskets.  Our contractor was Avon Construction Ltd.  This work is a short-term measure while we consider options for more permanent coastal defences.

April 2023

Aids to Navigation – 2023 Groyne Marker Annual Inspection passed

120 local Aids to Navigation across the coastline of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole were inspected by Trinity House on 26th April 2023. The groyne markers were assessed to be in good and efficient order, with only seven minor defects noted for future maintenance works.

If you see a damaged or missing marker, please report it via coastal@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

April 2023

Sterte Pumping Station, Poole – Flap valve replacement

Three flap valves were replaced to ensure the continued efficient operation of the pumping station at Sterte Industrial Estate, Sterte Road.

Works were delivered by contractors Aquatic Control Engineering Ltd and Avon Construction Ltd.

March 2023

Timber Groyne repairs at Avon Beach, Christchurch

A number of timber groynes across Avon Beach were repaired during March, including failed planks and bolts that were replaced with suitable materials recycled from the Poole Bay groyne renewal programme.

These repairs provide a stop-gap while we continue to develop the Christchurch Bay and Harbour Strategy. Once adopted, it will enable us to bid for government funding to deliver viable and realistic coast protection schemes to implement Shoreline Management Plan policy and address the impacts of climate change such as sea level rise.

March 2023

Groyne Marker repairs at Avon Beach, Christchurch

Groyne Markers are important aids to navigation. At the end of January 2023, two markers failed at the eastern end of Avon Beach following stormy weather. For safety reasons they were removed, but replaced in March 2023. Three others in the vicinity were also repaired.

Works were carried out by Earlcoate Construction.

August 2022

Groyne repairs at Solent Beach, Southbourne

Two groynes at Solent Beach were repaired to improve their stability. These groynes are made of rock armour, timber and mesh covered stone, similar to a gabion basket. They help maintain beach material volumes and protect the dunes behind. Works were carried out by Avon Construction Ltd.

June 2022

Gabion basket repairs at Double Dykes, near Hengistbury Head

Some 50 gabion baskets have been repaired following damage caused during Storm Eunice in February 2022. Works were carried out by our contractor, Avon Construction Ltd., and included re-packing the affected baskets with 40 tonnes of stone and securing them with a new mesh.

This work will help maintain the structural stability of the footpath above in the short-term while we consider options for more permanent coastal defences.