The final phase of construction of the artificial surf reef at Boscombe is due to take place shortly.
Plant and machinery will be arriving this week in preparation for screening and stockpiling 8,000 cubic metres of sand on the beach between Groynes 23 to 24 (in front of the Honeycombe Chine development) for use in filling the remaining geotextile bags that will form the top layer of the reef. The sand will be harvested in a thin layer from a wide area of the existing beach between Groynes 23 to 26 (from Honeycombe Chine stretching east) and Groynes 28 to 30 (in front of Portman Ravine) where previously an equivalent quantity of additional sand has been spread, over and above that required for beach replenishment purposes.
The main contractor is due to arrive on site in April to recommence work on the construction of the upper layer of the reef, on top of the base layer that was completed late last year. The work will be undertaken by the same construction team as before, deploying the empty bags from a barge and pumping them full of sand from the stockpile on the beach. The construction work can only be carried out in calm weather and sea conditions. The earlier seasonal start to construction operations this year, i.e. at the beginning of the summer season, will present the greatest opportunity to take advantage of calmer sea conditions.
The works will be completed as quickly as possible, and we will endeavour to minimise any impact on beach users and residents.
Yours faithfully,
Major Engineering Developments Manager
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