OPINION: Surfdogs and the big questions (From Bournemouth Echo)

OPINION: Surfdogs and the big questions

8:49am Friday 13th February 2009 in

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THE news that the surf reef contractors ASR have decamped to India is the latest astonishing twist in the sorry saga.

So, in a nod to Slumdog Millionaire, the question of the day is this.

Is the Boscombe reef project, overdue and overbudget:

• A) A farce.
• B) A scandal.
• C) A laughing stock.
• D) A resigning issue.

The answer is becoming increasingly clear. All of them.

For more about the surf reef and to view our timeline of its history, visit our Surf Reef section

Just click on Features on the bar above and then click Surf Reef

The head of leisure services, Roger Brown, whose department was in charge of the project, had his own Sir Fred Goodwin moment, when he was quizzed by a special scrunity panel of councillors on Wednesday.

Like the former banker, Mr Brown apologised for the turn of events. In a series of amazing admissions, he revealed corners had been cut, a structural survey had not been carried out, costs have spiralled out of control and project management has been thin, and that’s putting it mildly.

Belatedly, the council had parachuted in a new project leader in the shape of the experienced Geoff Turnbull whose job it will be to make a silk purse out of dog’s breakfast.

This whole episode has been a shambles and despite the town hall spin liberally applied, a massive and expensive embarrassment for the council.

Nor should councillors be allowed to escape criticism for failing to keep on top of what has been happening in their name. If this was the private sector, people would lose their jobs.

In the cosy, protected alternative reality of local government, this is the least likely outcome.

The India project is being funded by Tsunami money. Maybe there’s another disaster pot that Bournemouth can get some cash from.

For a disaster this most surely is.