Blackpool is set to enhance its coastal defences thanks to an additional £11M funding granted by the Environment Agency.
- The council identified ‘accelerated beach lowering’ as a significant concern that needed urgent attention.
- Groynes will be installed to trap sand and stabilise the beach, underpinning the council’s comprehensive coastal protection plan.
- The overall coastal defence project aims to protect over 10,000 households from flooding risks.
- This initiative forms part of a broader £100M budget for varied coastal protection schemes.
An additional £11 million has been allocated to bolster sea defences in Blackpool’s Anchorsholme, following approval from the Environment Agency. This decision came after Blackpool Council identified ‘accelerated beach lowering’ as a pressing issue, warranting financial support to mitigate potential impacts.
The council pointed out that the original Anchorsholme Coast Protection scheme had been approved in 2013. However, during construction, additional works were deemed necessary, leading to further approval by the Environment Agency in 2016. Following a significant storm in 2017, a defect was detected, prompting a contractor to enhance a revetment wall with rock armour at their own cost.
Since 2022, investigative efforts have been underway to construct a robust business case for ongoing coastal protection and management in the area. These investigations confirmed the presence of accelerated beach lowering, necessitating the proposal of new protective measures.
To maintain the beach and its sand, the installation of groynes is proposed. These structures will serve as crucial headlands to capture the natural sand flow, thereby ensuring the stability of both the upper beach and the immediate foreshore, according to Blackpool Council.
The Environment Agency has further allocated £61 million to replace and upgrade coastal defences in Blackpool’s northern regions, with £57 million specifically directed towards a beach management scheme stretching from Cocker Square to South Pier. These projects are expected to significantly reduce the risk of coastal flooding, safeguarding over 10,000 households.
Andrew Shore, the Environment Agency’s area coastal engineer for Cumbria and Lancashire, expressed satisfaction in collaborating with Blackpool Council and the local community to enhance the Anchorsholme project. He emphasised the importance of stabilising beach levels, which are vital first-line defences against the escalating threat of climate change-induced sea level rise.
Blackpool Council’s cabinet member for climate change, Jane Hugo, also commented on the development: “I am delighted that the Environment Agency has agreed to allocate £11M to enable these vital works to take place. Over the coming years, more than £100M will be expended on coastal protection schemes, with varied strategies targeting specific issues.”
In 2015, Balfour Beatty had been assigned the task of repairing a 1km stretch of sea wall at Anchorsholme as part of an £86M coastal defence project involving several councils in the North West and United Utilities. Despite challenges such as severe storms and high tides affecting progress, safety measures were enforced to secure the impacted areas.
Blackpool’s strategic plans for coastal defence highlight an unwavering commitment to mitigating the effects of environmental challenges.
