Hengistbury Head to feature on BBC’s Countryfile this Sunday with focus on BCP Council’s work to repair the Long Groyne
Hengistbury Head will be the focal point of a BBC’s Countryfile show this Sunday.
BCP Council’s countryside teams and volunteers have been working with the programme’s makers to create a whole episode about the area which will include updates about the £10 million Long Groyne project.
As the A&T reported earlier last year, the renewals of the timber groynes is aimed at combatting coastal erosion and protect communities from flooding, safeguarding homes, businesses and infrastructure.
The repairs will also provide new habitats for a range of species including the UK’s rarest amphibian, the natterjack toad.
The toad and its habitat on Hengistbury was the star of Springwatch episodes earlier this year
They will benefit from specialised ponds which will be created within the Hengistbury Head nature reserve.
Natural quarry stone from France and Norway, chosen for its density and durability, is being used to reconstruct the Long Groyne, with each piece weighing between six and 10 tonnes.
Made wider and 1.5 metres higher, the upgraded groyne will remain at its current length of about 150 metres from the beach line.
Originally constructed in 1939, the groyne was surrounded by rocks in the late ’80s. Further work was carried out on it in 1990s
In 2019 an inspection revealed the groyne had several voids below the waterline and was at risk of collapse.
Countryfile, will being shown at on BBC1 Sunday at 5.40pm.