WORK at Bournemouth’s Pier Approach is due to be completed in time for Easter.

The second phase of works to improve the seafront started in October and is now well underway.

New paving is being laid and “landscaping enhancements” are also planned.

Up to 10 state of the art underground bins will also be installed as part of the works.

As previously reported by the Echo, the bins will be half-buried to 1.4m below the pavement and just under a metre above.

There would be three by the Oceanarium, three by the beach to the east and four by the pier railings to the west.

The existing bins will be removed.

Businesses on the seafront remain open as usual during the works and access will be maintained at all times during opening hours.

Andrew Emery, Bournemouth Borough Council’s resort development and strategic planning manager said: “We are progressing well on site and are still aiming to complete these works in time for Easter.

“Key activities on site at the moment are focused on laying paving within the central section of Pier Approach and completing various planter edges to the site, particularly around the base of the West Cliff slope.

“The entrance area to the Pier amusement arcade and Aruba restaurant has been completed and is open and we have begun to partially open up a section of paving on the eastern side of the site by the Bath Road flyover.

“The next key task will be excavating holes in the ground to site the large semi-submerged bins. We intend to undertake this work over the next few weeks and will update you ahead of this happening.”

The work was originally due to start last September but was delayed until after the Bournemouth Marathon Festival in October.

Phase one of the works to the eastern side of Pier Approach saw the fountain installed, new lighting and paving and the tourist information centre for a total cost of £4m.

The work is being funded by a £1.9million Coastal Communities grant from central government.