More than £4 million being reallocated from pier repairs to other projects
£4 million, originally earmarked to fund repairs on Bournemouth Pier, will instead be used to stabilise local cliffs
BCP Council originally earmarked £9.6million for repairs to Bournemouth Pier from a £20million government grant received in March 2023.
However, £4.3million of that funding will now be redirected to stabilise East and West Cliffs and carry out structural work on Boscombe Pier.
The revised allocation includes £1.8million for East Cliff, £1.5million for West Cliff and £1million for Boscombe Pier.
Cllr Sara Armstrong said: “It’s been more than ten years since the East Cliff lift and cliff face collapsed.
“I know exactly how urgently the cliffs need stabilising, and I fully support essential works to make the cliff safer.
“However, after ten years of inaction, to suddenly discover an urgent decision buried deep in Cabinet papers, shifting £1.8 million away from the Bournemouth Pier renovation fund, is concerning.
“Both the pier and the cliffs are critical coastal assets. Both are deteriorating.
“However, moving this level of funding is a major strategic decision, not something to slip through without full Council scrutiny, open debate, or even a clear public explanation.
“As a ward councillor, I wasn’t included in any decision about major infrastructure works happening in my ward until the cabinet papers were released.
“We need reassurance that the pier will not be left to deteriorate further because money has been diverted.”
Following the reallocation, Bournemouth Pier will now receive £5 million, which will be used to remove its deteriorating timber landing stages.
Removal of the landing stages will begin this month.
Cllr Millie Earl, leader of BCP Council, said: “The proposal was in no way hidden.
“The draft Officer Decision Record was published as part of the report pack the Chief Executive also wrote to Group Leaders before the decision was taken, giving them the opportunity to raise questions or seek further scrutiny.
“Proposals were circulated to all Councillors on August 24, and they had the opportunity to attend and speak at Cabinet on September 2, when it was discussed as part of the item on finance.
“It is clear that this decision allows us to protect public safety, stabilise high-risk sections of cliff and make our coastline more resilient for the future – which is the right thing to do.”