WORK to install eight new groynes as part of Bournemouth council’s ongoing beach management scheme is due to be finished next month.

The groynes are being replaced along the stretch of beach from east of Fisherman’s Walk towards Southbourne.

Ground investigation works are also taking place along the beach in the Southbourne area in preparation for the next phase of groyne works to take place in autumn this year.

These works involve drilling small holes into the beach to assess ground conditions and inform the future excavation work required to install new groynes.

The seafront promenade will remain open to the public during the works.

However, residents and visitors using this section of the promenade are being asked to take extra care whilst works take place.

Information boards are on display at each end of the site and the public are advised to take note of contractor’s safety signage and site cordons. In particular, children and dogs should be supervised and not allowed to wander or stray into working areas.

Anthony Kirby, engineering and major contracts manager for Bournemouth council, said: “Access along this particular stretch of the promenade is narrow and with these works taking place, the promenade is particularly busy at times with slow moving contractor vehicles.

"Whilst we are maintaining public access along the promenade, I would urge people to take extra care and if contractor’s vehicles are approaching, please make use of the promenade refuges clearly signposted and intermittently sited between the works and Portman Ravine zig-zag.

"The council’s contractor is instructed to give way and will either direct the public to the refuges or they will stop and give way.

"For your own safety, due to the presence of soft sand around excavations, members of the public should not enter the fenced or signed areas which are demarcated with beach closed signage near the groyne works.”

This latest phase of work is part of a 17 year-long programme to protect against coastal erosion and maintain Bournemouth’s beaches. The programme includes the replacement of all 53 groynes, an additional three installed, and three beach replenishments. The entire project is expected to cost in the region of £50m.

Cllr David Smith, cabinet member for planning and environment, said: “These vital works are taking place not only to protect the coastline from future coastal erosion but also to maintain the award-winning beaches which attracts millions of visitors and residents to the coast each year.

"The works also complement the council’s Seafront Strategy – a long-term plan to develop a world-class seafront.”

For more information go to bournemouth.gov.uk/beachmanagement.