WORK to realign the rock groynes along Poole’s beaches is due to start this week after they were displaced during the storms that battered the Dorset Coast last month.

Engineers, using heavy machinery, are scheduled to start at Sandbanks Beach on Tuesday, where people are being urged to take care and ensure dogs are kept away from work areas.

Once the work finishes at Sandbanks, the focus switches to the rock groynes at Branksome Chine and Branksome Dene Chine.

The storms that lashed the coast earlier this year were so fierce that some of the heavy rocks have been so badly damaged that they will have to be replaced.

Borough of Poole insists access along the beach will be maintained throughout this planned maintenance work, which is scheduled to last at least one week.

Poole Cllr Xena Dion said: “Each year we lose a bit more of Poole’s precious coastline due to erosion, so it is very important that we make every effort to preserve this resource both now and in the future.

“Our beaches are among the best in the world and attract thousands of visitors to the town each year.

“We are extremely proud of our beaches and want to keep them as special places for people to visit and enjoy.”

The maintenance will be carried out by Jenkins Marine, who were also contracted to carry out similar work at Poole’s Whitecliff Recreation Ground last week.

The rock groynes at Sandbanks, from the Haven Hotel to the end of the beach’s promenade, were first built more than 17 years ago.

Then, in 2001, rock groynes were constructed between the Sandbanks Beach promenade towards Shore Road Beach.

In 2008 and 2009 Borough of Poole contractors built the remaining rock groynes at Branksome Chine and Brank-some Dene Chine beaches.