Work on a multi-million pound artificial surf reef at Boscombe near Bournemouth, Dorset, is set to resume in the spring after poor weather conditions this winter delayed the scheme.

ASR, the contractor behind the scheme, has confirmed that work is expected to resume in April once weather conditions allow the company to continue with the creation of the first facility of its kind in the northern hemisphere.

The reef, located 225m (738ft) off the Dorset coast, has been designed to increase the number of surfing days at Boscombe, and will provide grade-5 waves on a day with good swell. On calmer days, a lagoon will be created to ensure safe, flat conditions for beach users.

Shaw Mead, ASR managing director, said: "Work permit delays and bad weather through August and September meant only the bottom layer of Boscombe could be completed before the onset of winter.

"I'm very happy, however, with the work results, having dived on the reef before leaving last November and seen the results of the three surveys carried out since completion of that first layer. Our contract sees us back in Boscombe in April. May and June are usually the calmest months and we don't want to miss them this year."

Earlier this year, it was revealed that the cost of the reef project, which is part of the wider £9.7m Boscombe Spa Regeneration Project, is set to increase as a result of the delay.

Beverley Dunlop, Bournemouth Borough Council's cabinet member for the economy and tourism, added: "Following full and thorough scrutiny of the cost and project management elements of the Boscombe Spa Village programme, we are now moving forward and on track.

"I have every confidence in ASR’s commitment to our reef and their ability to complete it on time and within the agreed budget. It was right that the project team looked at contingency arrangements – I would expect it with a project of this nature."

Image: Bournemouth Tourism