THE task group charged with improving the performance of Boscombe’s surf reef is said to be making good progress.

Press and public were barred from yesterday’s meeting of the surf reef task and finish group at Bournemouth Town Hall, and all those present were given strict instructions not to talk to the media afterwards.

The council also decided not to issue a press update afterwards, saying they would only do so when the group has finished its discussions and is ready to make recommendations.

But the Daily Echo understands councillors at yesterday’s meeting heard from three representatives of the surfing community – David Weight, the original driving force behind the reef project, Sean Taylor of Sorted Surf and Paul Clarke, of Bournemouth Surfing Centre.

It is believed all three agreed there were flaws with the reef’s design but they were all confident that these could be corrected or modified to improve performance.

Among the issues raised were: the safety of the reef; whether the reef had been built too high; and whether ASR is the right company to try and correct the apparent problems.

The next meeting, also due to be held in private, will be later this month and is expected to hear from Dr Mark Davidson of Plymouth University.

The task and finish group is due to make recommendations to the economy and tourism scrutiny panel, which will then make recommendations to cabinet in October.