Views sought on plans for Swanage seafront green and road
Residents are being asked to give their views on options for proposed repairs and changes to a green and road at a seaside resort.The seafront green at Swanage has been found to be unstable due to ground movement, with essential work needed to prevent the area from collapse.Four options for the northern section of Shore Road are also being looked at including closing the road to traffic, making it one way and a no-parking zone, two-way with no parking, or leaving it as it is.Dorset Coast Forum, Swanage Town Council and Dorset Council are seeking views on the options being proposed until 29 June.
The Green Seafront scheme has two options proposed to stabilise the area made up of Sandpit Field, Weather Station Field, and the spa beach hut area.The first, which Swanage Town Council calls the "essential option" and costs an estimated £4.5m, would secure the ground movement, add more beach huts and revamp the toilets.A second option, costing an estimated £6.5m, would see a larger events space created, new toilets, a cafe, 46 more beach huts and new pathways.
Swanage Town Council said it was working alongside Dorset Council and community organisation Dorset Coast Forum on the proposals and has £3.65m set aside to fund the works on the green.The council said it planned to source the shortfall through external funding, a loan or grant funding.The green area is being closely monitored by the town council as stone walls and pathways are visibly showing signs of stress and movement.The cost of any changes on Shore Road would be on top of the costs to stabilise the seafront.
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