Construction for the Central Prestatyn Coastal Defence Scheme is set to resume in October 2024, following a pause since March.
- The halt allowed an earth embankment necessary for the project to adequately settle, as confirmed by Denbighshire County Council.
- During the hiatus, only major construction was suspended with continued progress on a new beach access ramp.
- The project involves installing steel sheet piles along a 1,650m coastal stretch to bolster flood defences.
- Noise and vibration control measures are in place to minimise disruption to local residents.
The Central Prestatyn Coastal Defence Scheme, orchestrated by Balfour Beatty, is slated to recommence in October 2024 after a strategic pause. This pause, initiated in March, was a deliberate measure to allow the earth embankment, constructed in an earlier phase, to naturally settle. Denbighshire County Council, in a recent announcement, confirmed that the ground conditions have met expected parameters, thus giving the green light for the next phase of the scheme.
Throughout this pause, Denbighshire County Council ensured active monitoring using surveys and satellite data to track the settling process. Major construction was on hold, yet work continued on additional infrastructural components such as a beach access ramp located at Central Footpath. This section, which intersects a golf course opposite Lyons Robin Hood Holiday Park, is nearing completion—making way for future promenade resurfacing efforts.
The project is poised to resume major works by late September or early October 2024. The initial task in the upcoming phase will involve the transport of stone fill to the embankment from the golf course proceeding eastward towards Terfyn Pella. This stone is critical for laying down steel sheet piles described as panels, measuring between 4 to 7 metres in length, that will span a significant 1,650 metres of the coastline.
These steel panels are pivotal to the flood defence system. They will be inserted through a specifically designed sand ‘chimney’ intended to mitigate noise and vibrations, thereby safeguarding the tranquility of the surrounding community. A specialised device, the Movax piling excavator, will be deployed for this task ensuring precision and efficiency. Additionally, monitors for noise and vibration will be employed throughout the construction period to ensure adherence to permissible limits.
The sequential execution of the pile installation will commence from the western edge near a local golf clubhouse, advancing towards the eastern sand dunes. Anticipated to extend over approximately 12 weeks, these operations are crucial for enhancing the coastal resilience against flooding.
Chris Hull, Balfour Beatty’s project manager, expressed the resumption as a positive step forward in safeguarding the Prestatyn coastline, reaffirming their commitment to minimise community disruption. Complementing this sentiment, Barry Mellor, lead member for environment and transport at Denbighshire County Council, commended the public’s patience and cooperation throughout the project’s duration.
The progression of the Central Prestatyn Coastal Defence Scheme marks a significant stride in sustaining North Wales’ coastal resilience.
