BOURNEMOUTH council and ASR have still not agreed “payment and construction details” for work on the Boscombe Surf Reef.

The £3million reef has been closed to the public since March, when divers found a sandbag had deflated and became almost totally detached.

ASR has previously said it will return during the spring or summer period to carry out work to improve the quality of the waves.

The company agreed – before the damage was discovered – to carry out the improvement works. The reef will get £55,000, and another £95,000 if the work is successful.

However, when the Echo asked the firm if a date has yet been sorted, the company said: “Work can begin as soon as Bournemouth Borough Council and ASR finalise payment and construction details.”Bournemouth council said: “We do not have a date yet for ASR’s return.”

Cllr Ben Grower, a long-standing opponent of the artificial reef, said: “I’m not surprised they haven’t worked out a date because I don’t think ASR have worked out what they can do.

“The problems with the reef cannot be solved – I think that is ASR’s problem.”

Cllr Phil Stanley-Watts, of Boscombe West ward, said: “From what I have been told by officers, ASR is coming back, but I am still pressing them on the issue. I have to be optimistic, but the surf reef cost a lot of money, and it needs to be sorted.”

ASR sent over senior staff during April for an inspection of the reef to look at the damage which is thought to have been caused by a boat strike.

The company has previously commented that it “remains committed to the Boscombe reef”, adding that it had “underpinned the innovative and successful regeneration of the Boscombe sea front.”