Work has just started on Boscombe's artificial surf reef - designed to transform one of Bournemouth's most run-down areas into a mecca for surfers. It's the centrepiece of the area's regeneration so a lot depends on it working. Here's how it came about... All words and pictures copyright the Daily Echo, Bournemouth www.bournemouthecho.co.uk
Created by Shepherdess76 on 28/08/2008
Last updated: 20/02/12 at 19:04
Researchers from Plymouth University will be investigating whether Boscombe surf reef provided value for money.
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/surfreef/surfreefstories/9518199.Researchers_look_into_value_of___3m_Boscombe_surf_reef/r/?ref=rss
THE three main Boscombe surf reef contractors have not been paid by ASR and are considering legal action.
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/surfreef/surfreefstories/9477284.Boscombe_surf_reef__Marine_firms_claim_ASR_owes_them___60_000/r/?ref=rss
NEW questions have arisen over the future of Boscombe Surf Reef after a sub-contractor won a £7,286 county court judgement against a branch of ASR, the company which built it.
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/surfreef/surfreefstories/9379223.Sub_contractor_wins_county_court_judgement_against_ASR/r/?ref=rss
FEARS have been raised over the integrity of the surf reef after it was revealed that it is not ‘clear
cut’ that a boat strike caused a bag to collapse.
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/surfreef/surfreefstories/9333274.Boat_strike_at_surf_reef_is_no_longer____clear_cut___/r/?ref=rss
HALF of the reserve £150,000 has been spent on the surf reef so far, Bournemouth Council has said.
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/surfreef/surfreefstories/9323467.__150_000_in_reserve_cash_being_spent_on_surf_reef/r/?ref=rss
THE creators of the £3.2m Boscombe Surf Reef have agreed to come back next year to finish what they started.
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/surfreef/surfreefstories/9321938.ASR_to_come_back_in_2012_to_improve_surf_reef/r/?ref=rss
THE handling of Bournemouth’s troubled surf reef has not been the resort’s “finest hour”, an MP has
said.
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/surfreef/surfreefstories/9313349.Handling_of_surf_reef_not_been_our__finest_hour_/r/?ref=rss
THE future of Boscombe Surf Reef has been left in limbo after the council admitted remedial work will not be finished in 2011.
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/surfreef/surfreefstories/9311267.Future_of_Boscombe_surf_reef_hangs_in_balance/r/?ref=rss
THE bad weather has had a “significant” effect on work to fix bags on the Boscombe Surf Reef.
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/surfreef/surfreefstories/9268410.Weather_delays_surf_reef_repairs/r/?ref=rss
CONTRACTOR ASR has started work to fix the Boscombe Surf Reef.
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/surfreef/surfreefstories/9231167.Work_begins_on_Boscombe_Surf_Reef/r/?ref=rss
BOURNEMOUTH council refuses to reveal what the experts have told it about whether the Boscombe surf reef is working.
Plymouth University is conducting a year-long study of the reef's performance and gave council officials an interim briefing.
But the council does not intend to publish the details of that briefing.
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/surfreef/surfreefstories/5042106.Boscombe_surf_report_will_not_be_published__says_council/
Boscombe's artificial reef is to host first surf contest.
Organisers hope some of Europe’s best surfers and bodyboarders will come and test out the South Coast reef in a men’s open, 35+, ladies open, and under-18s junior contest on March 20 and 21.
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/surfreef/surfreefstories/4997739.Boscombe_reef_gets_its_first_surfing_competition/
SURFERS gave an optimistic but cautious thumbs-up to Boscombe’s surf reef
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/4716058.Optimism_at_Boscombe_surf_reef___s_opening_day/
A SIGH of relief has greeted the return of the team tasked with building Europe’s first artificial surf
reef in Boscombe.
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/boscombesurfreef/4299773.Boscombe_surf_reef_team_back_in_town/
BOURNEMOUTH’S full council voted down an attempt to renegotiate the Boscombe surf reef contract with
constructors ASR.
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/boscombesurfreef/4172388.Council_votes_down_attempt_to_renegotiate_reef_deal/
EXCITING plans for a high-class restaurant have been unveiled as a key part of the Boscombe Spa regeneration scheme.
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/boscombesurfreef/4169971.Food_for_thought_at_heart_of_Boscombe_Spa_project/
The boss of contractors building Bournemouth’s artificial surf reef has pledged that they will be back
to finish the job.
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/boscombesurfreef/4133716.Contractors_will_return_in_April_to_finish_Boscombe_surf_reef/
MOST councillors and business leaders still back the Boscombe Spa and Surf Reef project, despite concerns over some of the management.
http://m6live.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/boscombesurfreef/4123574.SURF_REEF__we_still_back_spa_project/
TAXPAYERS have been assured the entire £1.8million overspend will be covered by the sale of the new surf pods – so why can’t we be told how much they will cost?
http://m6live.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/boscombesurfreef/4123573.SURF_REEF__How_much_for_surf_pods__Council_won_t_say/
THERE was amazement as councillors found out how “thin” the management of the Surf Reef project has
been.
http://m6live.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/boscombesurfreef/4123570.SURF_REEF___We_should_have_done_a_full_survey_on_Overstrand_building_/
AN opposition councillor has called for a senior council officer to “go quietly” following his apology for part of the Boscombe surf reef and spa development overspend.
http://m6live.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/boscombesurfreef/4123558.Council_officer_should__go_quietly__over_surf_reef_fiasco/
THE contractors building Bournemouth’s surf reef are working on another project in India – and council chiefs are not convinced they will return to finish the job.
http://m6live.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/boscombesurfreef/4123553.SHOCK_TWIST_IN_BOSCOMBE_SURF_REEF_SAGA/
A TOP council officer faced a grilling over the Boscombe Surf Reef and Spa – and apologised for part
of the overspend last night as councillors reluctantly agreed to spend another £1.8m to keep the project alive.
http://m6live.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/boscombesurfreef/4119701.COUNCIL_CHIEF__I_M_SORRY_FOR_BOSCOMBE_REEF_PROJECT_COST/
COUNCIL critics fear a special investigation into Bournemouth’s troubled surf reef project will prove
nothing more than a “token effort”.
http://m6live.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/boscombesurfreef/4105498.___Heads_buried_in_sand____over_Boscombe_surf_reef_claim/
Bournemouth Council is paying out nearly £40,000 to rent homes for workers – and they’re not even in the country!
http://m6live.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/boscombesurfreef/4069543.MORE_GRIEF_FOR_BOSCOMBE_S_PLANNED_SURF_REEF/
Bournemouth Council is paying out nearly £40,000 to rent homes for workers – and they’re not even in the country!
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/boscombesurfreef/4069543.MORE_GRIEF_FOR_BOSCOMBE_S_PLANNED_SURF_REEF/
IN a triumphant press release two years ago, Bournemouth council announced the Barratts deal would not only fund the entire Boscombe seafront development but also provide them with £300,000 in
loose change.
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/boscombesurfreef/4069531.A_worrying_development_on_Boscombe_regeneration_scheme/
THE costs of the controversial Boscombe Spa Village project, including the surf reef, have spiralled
by a third to more than £11 million.
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/boscombesurfreef/4065798.BOURNEMOUTH_SURF_REEF_PROJECT_UP_BY___1_8M/
The council's report on the rapidly rising budget
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/resources/files/1823/
HOW much more can go wrong with Boscombe surf reef project, ask residents as councillors reveal the Overstrand will cost much more to develop than first thought.
http://m6live.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/boscombesurfreef/3974536.BOSCOMBE_SURF_REEF_WOE/
HOW much more can go wrong with Boscombe surf reef project, ask residents as councillors reveal the Overstrand will cost much more to develop than first thought.
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/boscombesurfreef/3974536.BOSCOMBE_SURF_REEF_WOE/
ON Monday November 24, the lead story in the Echo was a demand by Cllr Ben Grower for heads to roll over the surf reef fiasco.
http://m6live.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/boscombesurfreef/3936836.STRAIGHT_OUT_OF_TOYTOWN/
ON Monday November 24, the lead story in the Echo was a demand by Cllr Ben Grower for heads to roll over the surf reef fiasco.
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/boscombesurfreef/3936836.STRAIGHT_OUT_OF_TOYTOWN/
Labour leader calls for heads to roll over Boscombe surf reef ‘debacle’
http://m6live.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/boscombesurfreef/3871449.___RESIGN_OVER_REEF____CALL/
THE overdue and over-budget Boscombe surf reef project has descended into such a farce that senior officers should be resigning from their jobs, a councillor has claimed.
Labour group leader Cllr Ben Grower accused the council of “misinforming” residents over the cost and impact of the project and trying to “spin its way out of a disaster”.
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/boscombesurfreef/3871449.___RESIGN_OVER_REEF____CALL/
Hoteliers and traders in Boscombe, buoyed up by the prospect of Europe’s first artificial surf reef on their doorstep, say they could be forced out of business by the time the £2.68 million project is
completed.
http://m6live.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/boscombesurfreef/3846770.Surf_reef_delay_could_mean_the_end_for_traders/
Hoteliers and traders in Boscombe, buoyed up by the prospect of Europe’s first artificial surf reef on their doorstep, could be forced out of business by the time the £2.68 million project is completed.
That’s the warning from Steve Kent, chairman of Boscombe Traders’ Association, after the council announced that work on the scheme has been halted until April and will not be finished until next September.
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/boscombesurfreef/3846770.Surf_reef_delay_could_mean_the_end_for_traders/
EUROPE’S first artificial surf reef will not be completed until next September.
http://m6live.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/boscombesurfreef/3842042.Work_halts_on_reef_until_April/
Work on the major tourist attraction at Boscombe seafront has been suspended for the winter and will not resume until April.
There had been hopes the £2.68 million reef would be finished this autumn. Just last month the borough’s tourism chief, Mark Smith, told the Daily Echo: “The contract is still for the project to be completed by the end of this year.”
Yesterday the council confirmed construction work had been halted “as the shorter days and winter weather do not permit long enough working sessions for safe and effective construction on this major underwater project”.
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/boscombesurfreef/3842042.Work_halts_on_reef_until_April/
A SMALL hard ball, two racquets, a walled area the size of a large master bedroom and two men hell bent on thrashing the bejesus out of each other.
http://m6live.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/boscombesurfreef/3830203.How_I_ended_a_bleeping_loser/
EUROPE’S first artificial surf reef may not be completed until the new year, it has been revealed, despite hopes that the major tourist attraction would be finished this autumn.
http://m6live.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/boscombesurfreef/3796268.Reef_may_not_be_finished_until_new_year/
EUROPE’S first artificial surf reef may not be completed until the new year, despite hopes that the major tourist attraction would be finished this autumn.
The borough’s head of tourism, Mark Smith revealed yesterday how months of unsettled weather had affected work on the Boscombe reef.
He said: “One of the major problems has been the lack of long settled periods of weather which have meant that the contractors have not had the operating days they were hoping for.
“The contract is still for the contract to be completed by the end of this year. The reef has taken 10 years of planning and we are keen to get it right; the main surfing season is in the spring and autumn. Other facilities at Boscombe will not be in place until next Easter.”
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/boscombesurfreef/3796268.Reef_may_not_be_finished_until_new_year/
BOURNEMOUTH could be in line for a second surf reef if the one currently being constructed at Boscombe proves a success.
A new reef could be installed at Southbourne, primarily to help protect the beach from erosion.
Roger Brown, the council’s head of leisure services, announced the plans in a BBC Radio Four programme about the Boscombe regeneration project.
Talking about the benefits of the Boscombe reef, he said: “We’re pretty confident it will work for coastal erosion as well. If it does we may be able to provide another reef at Southbourne.
“If it proves itself, you may well see reefs built not just for surfing amenity use but for coastal protection as well.”
The Boscombe reef was scheduled for completion by the end of this month, although poor weather delayed the deployment of the second section of the reef.
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/3772118.Second_reef_to_fight_erosion_/
THREE Bournemouth council officers went on an 18-day visit to New Zealand and Australia to research the Boscombe Surf Reef - but didn't mention in it any of their reports.
http://m6live.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/boscombesurfreef/3753513.Council_officers_surf_reef_fact_finding_mission_Down_Under_cost___8_429/
AFTER a successful start, work on the Boscombe surf reef has been temporarily suspended due to high winds.
http://m6live.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/boscombesurfreef/2439006.Bad_weather_delays_Boscomber_surf_reef/
AFTER a successful start, work on the Boscombe surf reef has been temporarily suspended due to high winds. The team laid the first sections during the air festival but had to stop on Sunday and they are not expected to be able to start again until this Sunday. "We partially filled the bags with sand to keep them in place, but we had to take the pipes in," said construction manager David Neilson, from the construction firm ASR. advertisement The workmen need spells of around five days good weather in a row. Mr Neilson said: "The long term forecasts are for an Indian summer, but September hasn't started that way!" Work is due to be completed around the end of October.
THE Boscombe surf reef is finally being laid on the seabed.
http://m6live.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/boscombesurfreef/2436157.Work_begins_on_Europe_s_first_surf_reef/
FROM 8am today the Boscombe surf reef is finally being laid on the seabed. “It’s D-Day,” said construction manager David Neilson on the eve of work. “We have done all the planning and this is the big one.” The £2.68 million project has been delayed by bad summer weather. The English surfing season runs from the autumn to spring and the council had originally planned to have the reef completed by the end of August. “We were hoping to start laying the reef in July but the weather has been shocking,” said Mr Neilson, from the firm ASR. Two barges will begin the work of unfolding the first bags into the water. A team of five divers will connect the bags to hooks on the sea floor. The bags are then dragged down into the water and pumped full of sand until they become as hard as concrete. Boscombe is undergoing a £10m makeover and the reef is the star attraction which will create around 75metres of surf-able waves. One thing the reef won’t do is create monster waves – its job is shape waves and make them break in the right place. It will only increase their size by 15-20 per cent. The waves will be better and more consistent than those around Bournemouth Pier. The reef will be just half a metre below sea level at low tide – you will be able to walk on it and scuba dive off it, to check out the wildlife expected to thrive around it. The workers will be in action as the air show rages around them. Mr Neilson said: “We might get the odd look, but our hands will be full!” This is the first stage of work, filling 16 bags over five days, with the reef due to be completed by the end of October – depending on the weather.
Giant cranes lifted and folded part of Europe’s first artificial surf reef onto a barge bound for Boscombe. The segment, measuring 131 ft and weighing five tonnes, was shackled and strapped before being raised onto the vessel at a secret location in Poole. The barge will be taken to Boscombe and attached to anchors on the seabed. It will then be pulled out from under the reef so that the section, which will make up a third of the base layer, lies on the sea’s surface. After sinking onto the seabed, the section will be pulled taut into place. At Boscombe sand is being refined before being pumped at high-speed into bags. The reef uses 55 geotextile bags which take up to four hours to fill and will cover an area the size of a football pitch. A Bournemouth council spokesman said: “A 260-metre long flexible pipe will pipe sand from Boscombe beach out to the reef section.”
Construction officially started on the first artificial surf reef in the northern hemisphere . ASR Limited began putting the reef together at a top secret site in Dorset
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