The Council claims "Bournemouth’s seven miles of golden sands will continue to be just that, despite numerous misleading and inaccurate claims over recent days. The beach replenishment programme currently underway is a routine and normal process to preserve our famous sandy beaches for the future. The programme is not designed to replace sand with shingle nor is it doing so. Whilst some patches of shingle can particularly be found at the far eastern end of Bournemouth, at Southbourne, this is not a permanent fixture.
Every year, the prevailing winds attack this most exposed part of our beach, blowing away the sand. The replenishment programme will counter the eroding effects of the winter weather by topping up the beach with more hard-wearing material than sand now, and, when the worst of the weather has passed, adding a top covering of fine, golden sands and restoring the beach to its former splendour. The remaining stretches of beach are currently having even more fine sand added ensuring the beaches will be ready as usual for the 2007 season. "
We have done some investigating into this and have established some facts about this and previous beach regeneration, We have also talked with the Southbourne councillors and will be working with them to ensure the sand is on the beach in time for summer!
· £17million is the total cost of the scheme - 100% funded by Central Government.
· Bournemouth Beach has been awarded Best In Britain by ENCAMS.
· Major beach regeneration has happened 4 times in last 36 years
· Natural effects of tidal drift and winter storms move sand to the east - most of the current 700,000 cubic metres of sand is being brought back to Bournemouth from off the Isle of Wight.