How much funding has BCP Council approved for cliff safety?

BCP Council has approved £1.4 million for improving safety and maintenance of its coastal cliffs.

What is causing the cliff slips in BCP?

The cliff slips in BCP are primarily caused by groundwater instability, not fully addressed by existing seawalls or groynes.

What is the estimated cost for BCP's long-term cliff management strategy?

The long-term strategy estimates a need for over £41 million to maintain and manage the BCP coastline over the next 20 years.

Home / Environment / £1.4M Boost for Coastal Cliff Safety

£1.4M Boost for Coastal Cliff Safety

13 Dec

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Summary

Council approves £1.4m for cliff safety and maintenance.
Funding targets groundwater instability causing cliff slips.
Long-term strategy estimates over £41m needed for coast.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council has allocated £1.4 million to enhance safety and maintenance along 15.5 miles of its coastline. This funding is specifically earmarked to tackle groundwater instability, a significant factor contributing to cliff slips and landslides, especially after recent incidents at West Cliff and East Cliff earlier this year. The council intends to use these funds to bolster cliff stability and maintain existing coastal defences, including sand drains.

Councillor Andy Hadley highlighted the necessity for ongoing maintenance, noting that certain aspects of the coastline have not been adequately maintained over the past two to three decades. The allocated £1.4 million, drawn from the council's reserves, is expected to be spent over the next two years. This initiative is part of a broader, developing cliff management strategy that projects a need for over £41 million in funding for coastline maintenance and management over the next two decades.