Cliff safety work will take place from Hamworthy to Highcliffe after councillors approved one point four million pounds to support maintenance across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
The coastline stretches for fifteen and a half miles, with fourteen point one miles managed by the council and the remaining section in private ownership. Most of the shore is protected from erosion by groynes, seawalls and regular beach nourishment, although these measures do not reduce the risk of groundwater-related slips on the cliffs.
Councillor Andy Hadley said maintenance had fallen behind in previous decades and explained that the two-year funding package from council reserves will support measures intended to limit further slips, including work linked to seven hundred sand drains.
A wider cliff management strategy is being prepared. Early work indicates that maintaining and managing the coastline over the next twenty years could cost more than forty one million pounds.
During the discussion, councillors agreed action was needed but some questioned the lack of detail about how the one-off payment would be used. Councillor Andy Martin pointed to severe cliff loss elsewhere and said it shows what could happen locally without intervention.
Councillor Judes Butt supported carrying out the work but raised concerns about the financial outline and the long-term estimates, while Councillor John Beesley said he backed the intention but wanted clearer information on future plans and reporting arrangements.
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