£63m coastal defence scheme to further safeguard 7,500 homes from flooding

Balfour Beatty has announced a £63m Rossall coastal defence scheme for Wyre Council has been completed with thousands of homeowners set to be further secured from the risk of flooding. 

The scheme will protect the town’s tramway, hospital and schools whilst reducing flood risk to 7,500 nearby residential properties through 2km of sea defences.

The coastal defence project which has been delivered for Wyre Council in partnership with the Environment Agency has been completed with more than 10,000 specially manufactured precast concrete units, alongside 86,342 tonnes of rock underlayer and 241,000 tonnes of rock armour sourced from 12 quarries across the north of the UK.

The Fylde region can now boast a promenade lined with artwork and a poetry trail, as well as a new ecology park designed by British sculptor Stephen Broadbent, thanks to the scheme.

Commenting on the scheme, Dean Banks, Balfour Beatty chief executive officer for UK Construction Services, said: “We are delighted that the local community and visitors to the Fylde coast can now fully experience the extensive benefits of the Rossall scheme, which will protect thousands of nearby properties from the risk of flooding and offer a captivating promenade for people of all ages to enjoy. The project’s success is a testament to the skills and collaborative working relationship between the fully integrated delivery team, with Wyre Council and the Environment Agency.”

Sir James Bevan, Environment Agency chief executive, added: “This is one of the biggest investments ever in a coastal flood scheme. It will reduce flood risk to 7,500 homes, create new green space and benefit the local economy, including by using locally sourced materials. It’s a great example of partnership: by working together the Environment Agency, Wyre Council, our other partners and the local community have helped create an even better place for people and wildlife”.

Balfour Beatty has also lauded the impact the coastal defence scheme has had on the local area. According to the firm, the project has provided 85 work opportunities for local people, as well as numerous engagement events with local schools. Earn and learn initiatives set up by the company have led to eight members of the workforce completing NVQs.