THE surf reef has not worked, and will never work as a reef, repaired or not. The three million or so has been well and truly wasted.

Tourism Chief Mark Smith must inhabit a parallel universe as he maintains that the surf reef is still “a key part of the offer at Boscombe” and is keen to catch a glimpse of marine life that have now colonised the reef.

It that’s all he wanted a few truck loads of hard core would do the job.

Anyone with a basic knowledge of seamanship on the south coast knows that Poole Bay is usually sheltered and is a lee shore.

The reason that Bournemouth exists is because of the micro climate created by the shelter of the Purbecks from the prevailing south westerlies and shelter to the east from Hengistbury Head.

Hundreds of shipwrecks along the Dorset coast bear testament to this. Many a skipper has given thanks when rounding Old Harry and making for a safe haven in Poole Bay.

The Atlantic rollers will never be seen on the Boscombe shore.

I am sure that everyone wishes the best for the area. The beautiful new apartments and the shops and gardens are great.

Just admit, Bournemouth council, that the surf reef is yet another useless money pit that you have happily and willingly poured money into.

If in any doubt I invite Daily Echo readers to look up “Bay Of Plenty Times”, search Surf Reef and read the New Zealand experience of its own surf reef built by the same company.

The heading is, would you believe, “Surf Reef Branded A Dangerous Flop.”

JIM O’BRIEN, Cynthia Road, Poole