Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Seafront Strategy
In 2021 members of the team consulted widely with over 4,000 stakeholders and residents to develop BCP Council’s first joint Seafront Strategy. Following on from adoption of the strategy in 2022, we led on the development of major investment plans for Bournemouth Seafront and wrote a successful bid for £20m of Levelling Up Funds.
The investment programme, currently underway, is designed to deliver:
- better well-being and healthy life scores for local residents
- reduction in deprivation by improving facilities and access to the seafront for local people and visitors
- improved satisfaction of visitors and residents with our seafront and surrounding areas
- increase in number of local visitors using the promenade, especially those from deprived communities
- lacemaking – establishing pride in place for the local community and local businesses
- employment creation and safeguarding
- Heritage Trail extension, drawing visitors to explore more of the coast and its heritage sites – which may lead to less overcrowding in existing hot spots
- extension of the visitor season, and attraction of new audiences
- increased footfall along the beach especially at parts that were quieter previously
- increased visitor spending at specific sites along the waterfront
- crime reduction benefits through creating a public area along that coast that is more welcoming
- walking and cycling trips along the improved routes
The programme centres around infrastructure investment in Bournemouth’s historic Pier.
An important landmark and tourist attraction, the pier was at risk of closure. Investment will extend the life of the pier structure by 40 years.
The ongoing programme also sees investment in:
- Restoring the bridge and pathway at Upton Country Park to improve cycle and walking routes from Poole town centre
- Restoring the Hamworthy Seawall
- Developing a heritage trail featuring public art that links key coastal sites between Upton Country Park and Highcliffe Castle
- Cliff stability work and building a new training and education centre for Bournemouth Lifeguards, amongst a total of 11 projects.