Storm Eunice: Tonnes of sand and 140 trees cleared

Recovery teams across BCP Council services are continuing to restore order following the red-warning storm that caused major disruption over the weekend.

Seafront teams are clearing the promenade of thousands of tonnes of sand with limited access to the public, apart from emergency services.

And parks teams, who cleared 140 fallen trees on Friday, are continuing to respond to dozens more reports about fallen, split, and leaning trees, fallen and hanging branches.

Fallen tree in Branksome

Mike Parkinson, parks and grounds maintenance manager, said: “Our teams and contractors are continuing to clear these fallen trees and branches from roads, footpaths and open spaces, as well as timber and tree debris that was cleared off roads onto adjacent verges during Friday.

'Clean up will take most of the week'

“We are confident that all roads are now clear, however the clean-up and recovery from Storm Eunice will take most of this week.”

Andrew Brown, Operations Manager, Seafront Operations, said: "Access to the promenade is limited because of the sand, apart from emergency access.

“We have got six full time staff and an additional 15 casual staff working almost overnight to clear the sand.

READ MORE: IN PICTURES: Storm Eunice causes disruption across Dorset

READ MORE: Storm Eunice: Dorset man survives being crushed by tree

Shore Road closure

“The tractors are out from 4am in the morning onwards with other teams moving in with wheelbarrows and shovels to remove any debris and from first light, about 6.30am, to reduce the volume."

• Thousands of tonnes of sand being collected from the promenade
• 140 trees collected on Friday
• All bin collections suspended for safety reasons on Friday will be collected Saturday and Sunday 26 and 27 February.
• Social services reaching vulnerable residents

Social services are also working with partners to reach vulnerable residents affected by power cuts.

'It's not over'

Chris Saunders, from Incident Command and Director of Destination and Culture at BCP Council said: “I’d like to ask residents to please continue to check on any elderly or vulnerable neighbours who may be affected by the power cut and call the emergency duty teams for any assistance.

“Our teams have been doing a fantastic job going over and above to clear reports of trees fallen, clearing the road network and the seafront.

"However, it’s not over, there’s still more work to do as the winds continue.”

Schools were also advised to close on Friday with most shutting their doors and switching to remote learning. A handful of schools, mostly special schools, remained open.

Bournemouth Pier by Kenny Dalglish

In one incident, the roof of Hillview Primary School in Ensbury Park came off and landed where children enter the school. Fortunately, no children were in attendance, and no one was injured. The school will reopen after the half-term break.

Additional bin collections

All bin collections suspended for safety reasons on Friday will be collected Saturday and Sunday 26 and 27 February.

Residents are asked to put their bins out by 6am on Saturday and two bags of additional side waste will be taken where necessary.

Alternatively, residents can take additional waste to one of the recycling centres.