THE overdue and over-budget Boscombe surf reef project has descended into such a farce that senior officers should be resigning from their jobs, a councillor has claimed.

Labour group leader Cllr Ben Grower accused the council of “misinforming” residents over the cost and impact of the project and trying to “spin its way out of a disaster”.

His comments come as it is revealed that an “obligation” on contractors ASR Ltd to complete the construction of the £2.68m reef by the end of the year was, in effect, worthless.

Back in June, the council heralded the fact ASR had signed up to this commitment but it has now been confirmed this will not result in any reduction in the cost of the reef.

And a council promise that the increased cost of the reef would be “entirely covered” by developers Barratt Homes may also have been premature.

The council is now stating that there is “a potential” for a sales-linked payment from Barratts but admits there has not yet been enough sales to trigger this extra money and it may have to come from the council’s capital pot.

And if the worst happens and the reef does not live up to expectations, all contractors ASR will lose is their final payment of £150,000.

Cllr Grower blasted the council “spin” surrounding the project: “I’ve never seen the Bournemouth information and publicity unit do so much spin in 30 years on the council,” he said.

“The public have been misinformed about this whole thing right from the start. It’s time there were some resignations now, it’s an absolute debacle.”

He said he did not believe the surf reef would ever be completed and said the council had put more than £2.5 million down the drain.

Bournemouth council said the “performance-related contract” it had with ASR referred to the quality and consistency of the waves produced at the end of construction, not the completion of the reef by a given date.

And Cllr Beverley Dunlop, cabinet member for economy and tourism, dismissed the accusations of “spin”, saying: “It is totally inappropriate to question today the validity of a position statement issued over five months ago.

“It is a shame that a small minority continue to look for any reason, however tenuous, to put the regeneration of Boscombe down, instead of welcoming the fantastic opportunities that the scheme, in its entirety, presents.

“There are many businesses thriving simply because of this development and I am pleased that the vast majority are able to focus on the bigger picture – £10 million plus investment in regenerating Boscombe seafront.”