CHRISTCHURCH'S beaches are back to their best following the completion of a major replenishment scheme.

The project, which was 12 months in the planning and took eight weeks to implement, aimed to reverse the storm damage seen in the winter of 2013/14 and restore the beaches to the same level as 2013.

After concerns about the logistics of getting vessels in and out of Christchurch Harbour at low tide, the council's council's contractor Earlcoate Construction excavated a new navigation channel to allow uninterrupted access to the harbour.

This enabled sand and shingle to be pumped from the large off-shore sandbar that lies at its entrance, and Christchurch Harbour Association then repositioned the green and red navigation buoys to identify the new channel.

Approximately 25,000m3 of sand and shingle was removed, half of which was transported to Friars Cliff beach, just under a third to Gundimore beach and the remainder levelled out on Avon Beach.

Short sections of the beach were closed at various times for the work to be completed

The project was initially expected to cost around £900,000 but ended up costing around £600,000. The bulk of the cost will be met by the Government Recovery and Repair Grant in Aid.

Steve Woolard, engineer at Christchurch Council, said: "The scheme was brought in under budget which means a saving to the council on its contribution towards the overall cost of the project.

"Christchurch beaches have now been restored to the optimum coast protection volumes and levels, and we also have the added benefit of sandier beaches. So there has never been a better time to visit and enjoy our local beach facilities this summer."