5.4.1           Seafront Safety

Bournemouth has a strong reputation and commitment for providing a safe and healthy Seafront with a competent Lifeguard Service, Beach Inspectorate, regular beach cleaning and sophisticated camera surveillance system.   The Council has been working as a part of the Dorset Coast Forum to develop countywide strategies to provide zoned areas specifically for bathers, and improve communications and recreational management practices.   Since 1996 bathing zones have been introduced at Durley Chine and Fisherman’s Walk and further zoning is anticipated at other popular areas of the Seafront. 

5.4.2           Environmental Quality

Bournemouth’s commitment to providing a clean and healthy seafront environment is evident from consistently achieving European Blue Flag Awards and Seaside Awards.   Since 1996 the number of awards achieved annually has risen from four to nine.  

With the increasing use of the seafront outside of the traditional bathing season, maintaining and monitoring water quality standards is important.   Since 1996 Wessex Water have constructed an attenuation tank at Bournemouth Pier Approach which has almost eliminated discharges of foul water to sea during periods of high rainfall.  

The Council is committed to continuing to maintain and enhance its beach and water safety standards.  

In April 2000 Tourism and Seafront Services became directly responsible for providing beach cleansing.  

5.4.3           Access

Providing access to both the natural and built environment at the Seafront, particularly for people with disabilities continues to be a priority of the Council.   The primary discussions with disabled people through the representative forums have highlighted key issues.   These have included improving access to the Seafront, such as wheelchair access on to the beaches via platforms or adapted chairs, improved disabled parking, and better facility access.   Since 1996 a seafront chalet adapted for use by disabled groups has been introduced.   This dialogue should continue and it will help improve access and enable a programme of improvement priorities to also comply with the Disability Discrimination Act and Tourism for All.

5.4.4          Natural Environment

The Council recognises the importance of the Seafront cliffs in providing rare and often unique features, principally herpetological and geological.   The Council already works with many agencies including English Nature to sustain and improve the natural environmental quality of the Seafront cliffs.

Coastal protection schemes, principally groyne works, but also sea walls and sand replenishment, are important in reducing coastal erosion and maintaining the Seafront as a viable and prosperous feature.   The Council, with a range of agencies and other Local Authorities is involved in developing a holistic approach to the management of coastal erosion in Poole and Christchurch Bays through the regional Shoreline Management Plan. 

5.5           Transport 

5.5.1       Land Trains and Cliff Lifts

Since 1996 land train services have been extended to operate outside of the traditional summer season, as well as operating into the evenings. The extension of the operating season has in part been enabled by the introduction of modern environmentally friendly gas powered land train units, which feature full weather protection for passengers.   Further extension of routes including Boscombe Chine Gardens is under review.  

The cliff lifts at Fisherman’s Walk, East Cliff and West Cliff provide popular access to and from the Seafront promenade, with approximately 400,000 customers each year.   Further investment to illuminate the cliff lift tracks to enable the lifts to operate into the evening is under consideration.  

5.5.2         Cycling

Cycling routes have been extended throughout the Seafront with time restrictions in the summer (no cycling is permitted between 10.00a.m. and 7.00 p.m. Cycle racks have been installed at all main beaches, offering convenient secure storage to encourage people to cycle to the Seafront.  

5.5.3         Car Parking

Meeting the demand for peak season Seafront car parking remains a major issue.   Since 1996 restrictions have gradually been lifted on peak season car parking at the Undercliff Drive car park.   The Cultural Strategy Workshop recognised that there will still be a major problem in future years.   Further consideration needs to be given to a more integrated approach to all forms of transportation on and to the Seafront.  

The Cultural Strategy suggests options of Park and Ride with drop-off points during peak summer periods and reviewing parking pricing policy to ensure these initiatives are a success.   Consideration is being given to extended land train links as well as waterbus services from Bournemouth Pier to Poole Quay and Swanage.  

5.6             Seafront Management

5.6.1         Business & Operational Management

It has already been acknowledged that the Seafront and its attractions and services are of a major economic significance to the Council.   The Cultural Strategy acknowledges the importance of the Council’s management of the Seafront to develop innovative partnerships that improve the marketing, customer information and feedback in order to maintain and develop the Seafront as a whole.    

Good business management practices are important to secure further investment from the private sector linked with proposals to refurbish and develop the Lower Gardens, Pavilion and Bournemouth Pier.   The development of Seafront Business Forums could encourage dialogue and communication between all interested partners in the coastal strip and provide an opportunity to deliver a sustainable business environment.  

The Seafront Services section operates as a primarily seasonal operation with a relatively small number of full time staff.   This has led to the evolution of increasingly versatile and multi-skilled staff.   By managing the Seafront in a holistic manner an efficient operation has evolved, with sections often seen as best practice models by other leisure providers.  

5.6.2           Education and Marketing

It will be important for the Council to continue to develop initiatives that educate both Seafront businesses and customers.   Ideas developed from the Cultural Strategy Workshops have included: -

• water safety and coastal environment work with schools;
• health and social initiatives on the Seafront including skin cancer awareness, accident prevention, health improvement;
• responsible citizenship promotional campaigns along the Seafront in relation to litter, recycling and dog fouling;
• developing Best Practice by Seafront contractors in the use of natural resources and energy management; and
• good internal business practice in effective induction, training and development of staff and apprenticeship schemes linked to educational providers.    

Whilst the Council invests significantly in marketing and promoting the town to attract visitors less is done to market the Seafront facilities once they are in Bournemouth.   In addition, little is currently done to market the Seafront to residents, particularly during off peak periods.   

5.6.3       Bournemouth ‘Resort Beach Park’ Bid

An expression of interest was submitted to Government in August 2003, for potential funding from the ‘Liveability Fund’.    The bid drew on the principles outlined in this Strategy and an extract is provided below:  

“The beach is the most popular local open space in Bournemouth.    The creation of a 10 km all year Resort Beach Park is an innovative initiative improving local residents’ main public space, involving local users, combining service and physical improvements, updating current tired facilities into a high quality area for seaside related leisure activities.  

The Resort Beach Park will have a radically new, integrated management regime driven by the community, public, private, and voluntary sectors delivering enhanced social, economic and environmental benefits through sustainable development of this local, regional and national resource.    A living space, jointly developed and managed to ensure that local people and visitors of all ages are safe and feel safe at all times, when using the natural and manmade facilities.  

The scheme will address quality, environmental and safety of life issues encompassing service improvements addressing accessibility, anti-social behaviour, community safety, litter / cleansing / recycling, education / sport, environment, health and hygiene, and information.    Added value will come from additional life saving services and enhancement and preservation of natural assets.    Capital investment would be in sustainable easily maintainable energy efficient toilet and changing facilities, comprehensive electronic information systems, disabled access, landscaping for safety, use of re-cycled plastics, safety lighting and ‘design out crime’ installations. 

POLICY STATEMENT M  -  BOURNEMOUTH SEAFRONT

 “The Council’s fundamental aim is to promote the use and enjoyment of the Seafront by both local people and visitors which will enhance the Borough’s economy and quality of life.   This is balanced with a need to conserve the natural environment to retain the natural attractions of the Seafront area and avoid intrusive development.”  

OBJECTIVES

M.1       To identify and develop additional commercial opportunities at the Seafront,   including the enhancement of existing facilities, services and attractions and the provision of new facilities, services and attractions.

M.2       To continue to provide and maintain a wide range of events and attractions and to ensure that those attractions along the seafront are targeted to all visitors; senior citizens to young people, young couples and families.

M.3       To network land trains and cliff lift services and to further encourage good public transport links along the seafront between 'honeypot' that will allow greater use of the seafront for residents and visitors and facilitate extended use of services particularly during off-peak times.

M.4       To consider ways of improving disabled access to the seafront and from the seafront to and from the sea.

M.5       To have better marketing intelligence, particularly in Council-run operations, to promote shoulder and off-peak times.   To look at improving information along the seafront in terms of signage and information boards and literature in order to ensure that people know where the facilities they want are provided and to entice more people to the seafront.

M.6       To examine the possibility of providing a slipway at an appropriate seafront site with suitable parking and facilities and associated controlled zoning of the immediate water area.

M.7       Increase the recreational use of Bournemouth Seafront through improved access and facilities for recreational users as well as improved communication with existing groups.

M.8       To support Westover Rowing Club in obtaining suitable seafront rowing `facilities.

M.9       To continue a commitment to provide safe, clean beaches and bathing with adequate support facilities and services.

M.10     To take an active role in encouraging the public to act responsibly to ensure that the seafront is litter-free, that dogs are controlled and the rights of people using the beach where smoking is discouraged are respected.

M.11     To raise public awareness, through education, of Seafront features, byelaws, safety issues and zoning.

M.12             Increase the use of Bournemouth Seafront as an educational resource, to include partnership working with other businesses and establishments.

M.13 To maintain and enhance the environmental and ecological quality and biodiversity of Bournemouth Seafront.