The barge can drill boreholes of up to 20m in depth

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A huge barge is expected to arrive at a Dorset beauty spot this summer to repair the groyne structure along the beach. The barge, which can drill boreholes of up to 20m in depth, will begin work on Hengistbury Head from early August.

It is part of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council's plans to repair the long, 83-year-old groyne structure along the beach by Hengistbury Head. Construction will take place 24 hours a day which will see a large rotary drilling rig and a sea-based jack-up barge drill holes in both land and sea.

The long groyne was found to be in a very poor condition and subsequently was closed to the public for safety reasons following a detailed inspection of the structure in 2019. The groyne is said to be regularly submerged in water, which could put it at risk of collapse in some areas.

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Activity around the long groyne includes underwater surveys and other investigations to monitor the site, and maintain its structure for many years ahead. It comes as sea levels are expected to rise over the next 100 years, so it is hoped that the data will help refine the most efficient and effective design for the new long groyne structure to ensure the continued stability of the coastline.

Councillor Mark Anderson, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Place said: "The 83-year-old structure has been critical in stabilising and controlling coastal erosion in both Poole Bay and Christchurch Bay. Along with the beach and other shoreline structures, the long groyne helps protect local communities and infrastructure so it is vital we upgrade it so it can continue to perform effectively, particularly with the additional threat of sea level rise and an increasing number of storm events.

"Without the long groyne, beach material would rapidly wash away, and the cliffs could start to erode again. This would eventually lead to the sea breaching Christchurch Harbour at Double Dykes and Mudeford Sandbank and the impacts could extend to the Purbecks and New Forest."

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