Work 'set to resume' on surf reef

The reef is expected to increase the size of the existing surf at Boscombe

Work on Dorset's much-delayed artificial surf reef could resume as early as next week, after developers took a weather-induced winter break.

The reef was planned for completion by last October, with an agreed overrun to December if the weather was bad.

Work on the reef off Boscombe was suspended by New Zealand-based ASR Ltd in November, but the construction team has returned to complete the project.

The cost of the reef has nearly doubled from £1.4m to £2.7m.

Additional costs include extra sand and delays caused by the bad weather.

Councillor Beverley Dunlop, of Bournemouth Borough Council, said: "The team is back, the equipment is here, the sand is ready, all we need is some good weather and the right sea conditions.

"I am looking forward to seeing the team back in the water to complete our long awaited surf reef."

'Magnify waves'

The project was meant to have been completed by last October, with an agreed overrun to December if the weather was bad.

But ASR Ltd said its divers were struggling in the colder conditions in November and had to stop work.

The artificial reef is part of a wider regeneration project in Boscombe, which will now cost £11m.

ASR Ltd claims the reef "will magnify and make the most of even the smallest and least favourable wave conditions" at Boscombe.

It will be one of four artificial reefs worldwide, including Narrowneck, Queensland, Cables, Western Australia and Mount Maunganui, New Zealand.