BOURNEMOUTH council is refusing to reveal yet what the experts have told it about whether the Boscombe surf reef is working.

Plymouth University is conducting a year-long study of the reef's performance and gave council officials an interim briefing yesterday.

But the council does not intend to publish the details of that briefing "out of context".

Opening day of surf reef

A statement from Roger Brown, the council’s service director for leisure, said: “The verbal briefing from Plymouth University only took place yesterday (Wednesday March 3) and continues to be a work in progress.

“To take Plymouth University’s interim information in isolation would undermine the commitment we have given to the surfing community to listen to their views, which we are still gathering. It would also mean taking information out of context of the other monitoring that is ongoing by both Southampton and Bournemouth universities, of the coastal protection and marine biodiversity respectively.

“The universities’ studies are part of a year-long programme of monitoring and evaluation not just of the reef, but of the entire seafront regeneration scheme.

Making of the reef

“The initial data provided by Plymouth University will be considered alongside feedback provided by local surfers. A complete picture will be in place later in the year, when conclusions as to the extent of the reef’s success can be made and shared. It is therefore wholly inaccurate to state that the council does not intend to publish details before the full picture can be given.”

• Do you think the Plymouth University report should be available now? Let us know in the comments - and for a full report and reaction, see Friday's Daily Echo.