Christchurch Borough Council has engaged Earlcoate Construction, specialists in civil engineering and coastal defence, to undertake emergency works at Avon and Friars Cliff beaches.
An unprecedented sequence of winter storms, resulting in the lowest beach levels seen for over 40 years, has exposed dangerous ageing timber groyne structures. During the most recent storm on 14 February both beaches suffered extensive damage to the existing defences and promenade including the loss of at least 55 beach huts from Avon Beach.
At Friars Cliff beach, three timber groynes have been rendered hazardous and are being replaced with rock armour structures as an emergency measure. Rock groyne construction will be completed before the Easter holidays.
A section of the sea wall along Avon beach has also been given the added protection of rock armour and associated works which were also carried out by Earlcoate Construction. Final reinstatement of the promenade will take place this week.
