Repairs to the eastern end of the sea wall form part of BCP Council’s seafront investment projects funded by UK Government.
Lead Authority
BCP Council
Working with
Contractor – Suttle Projects
Friends of Hamworthy Park
Cost
£550,000
Project start date
w/c 27 August 2024
Project Completed
15 November 2024
Page Last Updated
25 November 2024
Works completed 15 November
Project Overview
Essential repairs to the sea wall were delivered September-November 2024 with Government funding and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) support.
The works have strengthened a 200 metre-long section of the Eastern seawall to ensure it continues to protect the eastern promenade at Hamworthy Park from coastal erosion for the next 20 years.
The works
Phase 1 – Fencing was placed along the entire 200 metre Eastern section of prom to allow the 1 metre width of tarmac and the top edge of the sea wall to be removed. The prom was reduced in width for safety reasons but remained open as much as possible throughout the works.
Phase 2 – the seawall was repaired in 25 metre sections using steel reinforcement and marine grade low-carbon concrete. The two jetties, wall support buttresses and steps to the shoreline were also repaired.
Repairs completed and site compound demobilised, 20 Nov
15 November – project completion
The removed outer edge of promenade tarmac has been re-surfaced. The works compound and site access track was removed w/c 18 November.
Why the work was needed
Since 2020, the seawall had been visually inspected periodically and although there had been no observed new movement or rotation of the existing seawall, there were multiple historic cracks and failings of the construction joints. Previous patch repairs had also failed, which was allowing the sea to wash out material from under the exposed edge of the promenade, causing some sections to slump or fail.
Environmental Considerations
The site is adjacent to Poole Harbour which has a range of protected special designations including: Ramsar – wetland sites of international importance (especially as waterfowl habitat), Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Protection Area (SPA). The repairs are to an existing structure within the original footprint and Natural England have permitted us to work up to the end of November 2024 when we must stop to allow overwintering birds to shelter.
About the Park
Hamworthy Park was officially opened in 1931, when eighteen acres of marshy land, with tidal lagoons and ditches, were transformed into a Community Park. It continues to offer residents and visitors a wonderful space to relax, exercise and play with unrivalled views of Poole Harbour, Brownsea Island, Arne and the distant Purbeck Hills.
For details of the Park’s history please visit the Friends of Hamworthy Park website.