Next stage of beach protection work completed

The most recent stage of work to help stop flooding and erosion on a stretch of the south coast of England as part of a two-year project has been completed.

Four timber groynes at East Cliff and Boscombe beaches were replaced between October 2025 and earlier this month, under work coordinated by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council.

The groynes usually need replacing every 25 years and are used to slow down the loss of beach material moved by waves.

They also protect seawalls and cliffs and, without them, coastlines could erode by up to 3ft (1m) every year, the council said.

Andy Hadley, the council's portfolio holder for climate response, environment and energy, said the project was "vital" to keep residents safe.

"We will continue to work with partners, including the Environment Agency, to deliver these programmes and protect our magnificent coastline for all of our residents," he said.

Three other timber groynes will be replaced to the west of Boscombe Pier from October.

Other work is expected to start in March 2027 and, once complete, will mark the renewal of all 56 groynes on BCP's beaches.

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