A BUMPER 1.2million of additional government funding has meant storm repairs pumping sand onto Pooles seafront can be extended.

Sand is being added to Shore Road beach to protect residential properties and infrastructure from coastal erosion and now the scheme can continue towards Branksome Beach and the Bournemouth border.

The last large scale sand replenishment took place in 2005/6 and the next scheme to build Pooles beaches back up to their previous levels was due to take place in 2016/17, but the funding means it can happen now.

During last winters storms, Shore Road in particular lost a significant amount of sand, approximately 10 years worth of erosion occurred in just a couple of months.

Defra awarded Poole 750,000 of funding to pump 40,000 cubic metres of recycled sand onto the beach, which began over a week ago. This was due to finish by the end of November but will now continue until Christmas.

Poole Harbour Commissioners are supplying the sand from routine dredging of the Swash Channel, with a dredger connecting to the pipeline where the sand is pumped ashore.

We are delighted with the opportunity from Defra to bring forward our major beach replenishment scheme and add it to this current project to repair the damage from recent storms, said Cllr Xena Dion, cabinet portfolio holder for flood and coastal management, Borough of Poole.

By working with Defra and Poole Harbour Commissioners we estimate to save around 300,000, as we already have the dredger, pipeline and heavy plant in place.

While small sections of the beach are closed where the sand is being pumped, the promenade remains open. We welcome people coming to watch this engineering project which is quite spectacular.

We appreciate everyones patience while the work is carried out, as it is vital to ensure the beach infrastructure and properties are protected for this winter and for many years to come, she said.

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Extra 1.2m funding means scheme to save Pooles beaches can be extended