Contractors will return in April to finish Boscombe surf reef

ASR’s managing director Dr Shaw Mead said workers, who have been employed on another reef project in India, would be returning to Boscombe in April.

The announcement comes just days after the Daily Echo revealed that council chiefs were not convinced ASR would complete the contract.

Head of leisure services Roger Brown admitted the council had a Plan B and approached other companies in case the hired contractor did not return.

In a statement, Dr Mead said he was happy with the reef’s bottom layer which was completed before the onset of winter, having dived on the reef before leaving the site last November and seen the results of three surveys.

Surf reef latest report

He added: “Our contract with Bournemouth council sees us back in Boscombe in April. May and June are usually the calmest months and we don’t want to miss them this year. It’s a very exciting project; I’ll be back over with the team in April.”

His sentiments were echoed by the man in charge of the construction of the reef’s top layer who will visit Bournemouth on February 26.

ASR’s Mike Woods will meet councillors and officers to carry out site visits as well as discuss long-term weather forecasts and arrangements for work recommencing.

He said: “I am delighted to be coming to ensure that everything is ready for work to start again on the site in the spring. ASR are committed to this flagship project – we know the world is watching and we intend to deliver.”

Cllr Beverley Dunlop, cabinet member for the economy and tourism, said: “I have every confidence in ASR’s commitment to our reef and their ability to complete it on time and within the agreed budget.”

However, the council will have to pay £100,000 towards ASR’s bill of nearly £300,000 for shipping their equipment to and from India.

The reef is the key part of the Boscombe Spa development. Costs for the whole scheme have risen by a third to £11 million.

See our background reading on the surf reef project here