Taking Care of our Seafront
Our Beaches help define our town, they are a wonderful asset for our residents and the millions of visitors who contribute to the town's economy, supporting businesses and jobs. Bournemouth has invested heavily over the years to keep it in tip-top condition, encouraging sports and restaurants to greatly improve the experience for residents and visitors. It’s vital that the beaches and our bathing waters are kept clear and clean for everyone's enjoyment and that accurate water cleanliness information is available for bathers and water sports enthusiasts.
What's been happening
- Over the years Bournemouth invested in developing the promenade area with sports facilities and catering to improve the experience for all residents and our visitors. The Regeneration of Boscombe Seafront transformed the area and its now a safe water sports haven with great restaurants.
- A Shoreline Management Plan of which Bournemouth secured 100% of the funding, protects our coastline from erosion and flooding with beach replenishment and groin replacement.
- The Blue Flag Scheme, cancelled by BCP Council, but saved by local businesses who stepped in to fund it, sent a clear message to beach users that our waters met certain standards of cleanliness. So, I've been campaigning and pressing Wessex Water and the Environment Agency to do even more to protect our waters.
What's the result
- Our amazing seafront used to come at a cost but the investment and development of new facilities, by Bournemouth means the Seafront now delivers an income to BCP Council to support other services. In the last financial year the surplus was £6m, meaning that the entire seafront operation now costs residents absolutely nothing. New summer pop up beach facilities increase that income with a variety of restaurant options.
- I've worked with Wessex Water to get sensors installed to monitor water quality. This real-time information will be available via an App and the first monitor will soon be operating off Boscombe Pier. Swimmers and water sports enthusiasts will be able to get accurate water quality data from the App.
- I've lobbied hard for "Levelling Up" and other funds to support projects in Bournemouth and in March last year we were awarded £19.9 million for Coastal Communities Infrastructure investment.
- Projects will include major refurbishment of Bournemouth Pier, stabilising the cliff at East Cliff so that the lift can return to use, refurbishing decaying facilities, make the promenade 5g ready plus new power and water facilities and public realm improvements unlocking commercial investment to develop year round growth, which will further support our economy and jobs.
What's next
- Continuing to work with Wessex Water and The Environment Agency to keep our waters clean.
- Monitoring the development of the seafront projects to ensure the Levelling Up Grant and the projects it is funding are delivered.
- Hold BCP Council to account for continued protection and improvement of our seafront for everyone's benefit, many businesses and jobs are dependent on tourism.
Click here for a complete list of Seafront Levelling Up Projects
