Fears storm surge could breach coastal defences

9:35am Thursday 8th February 2007

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SOUTHBOURNE residents have warned of a "disaster waiting to happen" if more action isn't taken to protect Hengistbury Head from coastal erosion.

A storm surge during extreme weather could force a breach through the vulnerable ancient site, they say, flooding homes and businesses in areas such as Wick, Tuckton, Christchurch, Stanpit and Mudeford.

Beach replenishment undertaken a year ago has already been washed away, say members of the Hengistbury Residents' Association (Henra).

And they warn that depositing more material on the shore will be a "waste of time and money" unless the groynes are urgently improved and other coastal protection work carried out.

In a presentation to Bournemouth Borough Council's environment scrutiny and review panel, Kenneth Baldwin from Henra showed video evidence of how far the latest beach replenishment had already been eroded.

He warned that the sea had breached the head and Southbourne's sea defences on at least five earlier occasions, including the entire loss of Southbourne Marine Drive during the 1950s.

Henra believes the head is more vulnerable to erosion than outlined in the area's shoreline management plan, which was based on a report by coastal engineer Halcrow.

Mr Baldwin said: "Should experts outside Halcrow's organisation be correct and the head is breached, the residents and assets in Wick, Tuckton, Christchurch, Stanpit, Mudeford and other populated areas along the shores of the harbour and the banks of the Stour could well be flooded out of their homes."

He added: "Although not as serious, any breach of the head will be of significant economic, environmental, archaeological and historic loss to our community."

Leslie Pickard, from Winton, an independent engineer who has worked on coastal protection in Jamaica following the devastating Hurricane Ivan, told the meeting: "It seems the groynes at Hengistbury Head have never been maintained and the rocks are too small."

He added: "Putting sand back is a complete waste if you don't reinstate the controlling factors."

There were also complaints at the meeting from Southbourne councillors about the materials used for the latest beach replenishment.

Cllr Basil Ratcliffe said the composition of the materials used had a higher shingle content than sand used before.

"It has caused a lot of irreparable damage to Southbourne," he said.

"We are very worried about the effect on business people and householders in the area."

Sheila Ryan from the Bistro on the Beach restaurant said she had received complaints from customers and visitors about the state of the beach.

Cllr Pat Lewis said: "Something has to be done to help the situation for everyone who lives and works there and for our holidaymakers."