A NEW environmental hub in Bournemouth will not be open in time for the summer – despite an initial spring opening date set by the council. 

The Seaside Environmental Hub at Durley Chine was due to open this spring and is designed to be a space dedicated to achieving a step-change in the reduction of waste  and elimination of single use packaging across the BCP Council area. 

It will feature interactive displays and will aim to tackle some of the 2,000 tonnes of waste along the area's beaches every year. 

Bournemouth Echo: Work won't be finished until the AutumnWork won't be finished until the Autumn

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Work started in September 2021, with the walls of the kiosk and toilets being installed. 

Funded with £2.4 million from the Coastal Communities Fund, the environmental hub will take a lead on recycling in public spaces and will educate and change people’s behaviour along the seafront. 

Cllr Simon Bull of the Green Party described the delay as “disappointing”, adding: “If a lot of money has gone into it then you’d think it’d open on time. 

Bournemouth Echo: Toilets have been installedToilets have been installed

“The litter that is found on the beach during the summer is an issue and if the hub is not open during the summer, it will have a direct impact on the sea and the local environment.  

“The sooner we can address that the better.” 

A BCP spokesperson said: “We have had complications around Covid, material shortages and disrupted supply chains which has affected some of the specialist elements of the build, but these items are now on site.

“The works were due to finish late spring, and we are now working towards an autumn completion date. 

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“We have been working closely with Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks and our stakeholders over the last year to enable a new substation.  

The council say a trench needs to be dug up to take the new SSEN cable to the site, therefore the work will not be taking place during the summer as they “do not want to cause disruption.” 

The spokesperson added: “In the meantime, the beach cleansing team will be utilising the yard to help manage waste collected from the beaches.” 

The Daily Echo approached Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks for a comment but they declined.