Bournemouth | Posted on March 25th, 2026 | return to news

Bournemouth coastline protection delivered

Groynes are being renewed along the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole seafront, with four having been completed in recent months.

Work to renew four timber groynes at East Cliff Beach and Boscombe Beach has been completed on budget and three weeks ahead of schedule.

The works were part of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council’s two-year project to replace seven life-expired groynes between East Cliff and Boscombe Beach.

Cllr Andy Hadley, BCP Council’s portfolio holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy, said: “The groyne renewals under the larger Poole Bay Beach Management Scheme are vital in ensuring we protect our communities from coastal flooding and erosion.

“Timber groynes typically need replacing every 25 years to slow down the loss of beach material moved by waves, and together with beach re-nourishment, they help to protect the seawalls and cliffs, too. Without them, our coastlines could erode by up to a metre each year.

“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.”

The recent work began on 6 October and was completed by 5 March.

Work will resume on the second phase of the contract in October 2026, when the three timber groynes to the immediate west of Boscombe Pier will be renewed.

That work is expected to be completed in March 2027, and successfully replacing these seven groynes will mark the completion of the renewals of all 56 groynes across BCP’s beaches.

The scheme is designed to help protect the coastline from flooding and erosion for the next 100 years.
By renewing the groynes to the east of Boscombe Pier, BCP Council and its partner, Suttle Projects Ltd, installed 28 vertical piles and 2,050 metres of horizontal planks, working to foundation depths of five metres.