I AM not surprised to read that what appears to be part of the surf reef was washed ashore on Boscombe Beach recently.
In 2003 when I was chair of Boscombe First Residents Association I warned the council to heed coastal expert H R Wallingford's report, which categorically stated that the reef would have its many faults, including the possibility that the geo-textile sand filled bags could be damaged.
Well, this was experienced some time ago and the cost of those repairs at that time would be approximately £150k.
The council ignored these warnings. The original estimate was £750k. The actual cost was £3m. What a waste of local taxpayers' money.
Incidentally, Bournemouth East MP Tobias Elwood and I gave a presentation to the full council supporting the idea of a marina for the seafront.
Unfortunately, this was rejected. Since then, over 50 hotels have been lost to the area. If those in office had only listened, Boscombe would have been a very vibrant district of the town.
DAVID JESSUP
Belle Vue Road, Southbourne, Bournemouth
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