Christchurch beaches maintenance works

A programme of maintenance works for Christchurch beaches to strengthen the existing groynes and recycle existing beach material.

Project overview

Following a successful funding bid to the Wessex Regional Flood & Coastal Committee, supported by BCP Council and Christchurch Town Council funding, a £380,000 programme of maintenance works is planned for Christchurch beaches to strengthen existing groynes and recycle existing beach material.

Works are anticipated to last 7 weeks (depending on weather and tides). Normal working hours will be between 7am-7pm on weekdays. The works are tidal, so some working outside of these hours may be needed to make use of best available tides.

The works

• Groyne strengthening – a number of existing groynes will be strengthened with new rock armour. This new rock  will reinstate an effective functioning height for the groynes, with interlocking angular rock structure for stability. The improved groynes will help to effectively retain beach material, slowing down the natural process of longshore drift from west to east.
• Beach recycling – a moderate amount of built up beach material will be moved westward from Highcliffe to top up nearby beaches. The scale of the recycling will be determined by beach profiles at the time of the works.  Logistics for the works at Highcliffe are being planned in co-ordination with the Highcliffe Ramps project.
• Minor concrete repairs will be carried out on the Steamer Point storm water outfall.
• Failed Aids to Navigation (AtoN) will be replaced. Urgent maintenance works (funded separately) to 3 AtoN were undertaken in June 2026

Safety & beach access

The beach will remain open throughout the works but some areas may need to be temporarily cordoned off for safety. There will be machinery movements along the beach and rock storage required throughout this time. Please follow on site safety signage and keep dogs on leads when near machinery and works.

Project background

• A Certificate of Lawful Use/Development was granted on 20 February 2026 Planning Application P/25/04730/CLP | BCP Register     
• Potential impacts to the environment were assessed before works commence, in liaison with statutory agencies including Natural England and the Environment Agency. A Habitat Regulations Assessment and a Water Framework Directive Assessment considered impacts to the three protected tern species (common tern, little tern and sandwich tern). They also assessed impacts to the River Avon and its protected species such as Atlantic salmon, brook lamprey and bullhead) and their associated habitats. These assessments concluded that there should be no impact to the features of these designations.