Blackpool beach management

We are losing our beaches.

Unless urgent action is taken, Blackpool’s iconic beaches could be lost forever.

Beach sand levels are lowering, exposing the clay beneath. This poses a serious risk to our coastal defences. The beach provides the first line of defence against coastal erosion and flooding during storms by breaking waves. Lower beaches result in larger waves, increasing the risk of flooding.

Beach lowering also threatens to undermine the existing sea defences which are crucial to protecting homes and businesses during storms.

Sand comes to Blackpool’s beaches from offshore sources, before travelling north to Morecambe Bay (and south to the Ribble Estuary). Blackpool’s beaches are highly dynamic with a constantly shifting series of sand bars and channels. However, a long-term trend of beach lowering has recently been identified. This trend, which has been observed worldwide, is largely a result of climate change.

Beach lowering at Anchorsholme has exposed the clay layer beneath the sand beach

Beach lowering has exposed the foundations of Central Pier, which was constructed in 1868

Beach lowering has exposed the toe of the existing coastal defences

This graph shows Blackpool's beach levels since 1981. Since 1986 the beach has lowered 1.7m

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We're saving our beaches with the £57m Blackpool Beach Management scheme.

The scheme will see rock headlands constructed along the beach from south of South Pier to Cocker Square (just north of North Pier).

17 rock headlands will be constructed on the beach. They will typically be 100 metres long and spaced approximately 150 metres apart, with a combination of straight, cranked and fishtail shapes.

Once completed, the headlands will trap and retain sand on the upper beach. To offset loss of beach sand during extreme storms, there may be a requirement to top up beach levels in the bays within the headlands from time to time with sand.

 How they work

Rock headlands will create areas sheltered from waves and wind whilst deflecting tidal currents. This will trap and retain the natural onshore supply of sand on the upper beach.

The beach will provide a natural line of defence, reducing the risk of our existing coastal defences being undermined, and lowering the risk of coastal erosion and flooding.

Headland visualisation adjacent to the Tower Festival Headland

Aerial map featuring the headlands

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The council and Jacobs UK considered a number of options to address beach lowering. 

1. Do nothing

Doing nothing is not an option. This would increase the risk of damage to sea defences, leading to coastal erosion, flooding, loss of beach sand and exposure of underlying clay.

2. Do the minimum

Maintaining and repairing the existing sea defences would still expose them to potential damage and failure and would not address the loss of sand and exposure of the underlying clay.

3. Toe protection

Installing rock armour at the base (toe) of the existing sea defences. This option would do little to prevent the ongoing loss of beach sand and exposure of the underlying clay.

4. Beach recharge

This option would see sand added to the beach to restore it to its pre-2005 condition. However, without structures such as headlands, the sand would quickly be washed away.

5. Rock headlands

This option was chosen. The construction of 17 rock headlands on the beach to trap and retain sand on the upper beach and divert tidal currents offshore.

6. Timber groynes

Timber groynes have previously been installed along this beach but were unsuccessful in retaining the beach.

7. Offshore breakwaters

These rock structures which would be built offshore parallel to the coast are unviable as they would block the natural supply of sand onto the beach.

8. Offshore barrages/tidal lagoons

A large part of the beach enclosed by a barrier that would retain sea water as the tide goes out. It would restrict the natural supply of sand onto the beach, impact historic wreck sites, obstruct open views and have a negative impact on marine habitats.

9. Sand engine

A sand engine would deposit massive volumes of sand on the beach. This option was investigated and considered unviable since it would have a number of negative environmental impacts.

10. Beach drainage

Artificially lowering the water level beneath the beach has yet to be effective in the UK, particularly during storms.

After analysis, option 5 the rock headlands were considered the most effective, viable and environmentally sustainable.

Beaches for the future.

The scheme will secure Blackpool’s future, safeguard our environment, protect homes and businesses and ensure Blackpool remains the UK’s top seaside destination.

Tourism

Blackpool’s beach is central to the town’s identity, heritage, and appeal. In the past year alone, 21.5 million visitors came to enjoy its seaside charm, golden sands, vibrant promenade, and world-class events.

But once the beach is lost, it’s gone for good. This would seriously harm Blackpool’s reputation as a tourist destination and have a damaging impact on local businesses, the economy, and jobs.

The Blackpool Beach Management scheme is designed to protect and preserve the beach, ensuring it remains a vital part of the town’s tourism offer, so future generations can continue to enjoy everything Blackpool has to offer.

Leisure and community

The beach and promenade are important outdoor spaces for recreation, wellbeing fitness and community events. Saving the beach will ensure this space can be used by the community for generations to come.

Flood prevention

Sea levels are rising due to climate change. This puts Blackpool, as a low-lying coastal town, in a particularly vulnerable position. Our risk of severe flooding during storms is increasing, and we are losing space on our beach due to coastal squeeze.

The current sea defences, opened in 2011, have so far significantly reduced the risk of flooding. Despite this, the rising seas and the lowered beach levels will likely lead to more instances of flooding with increasingly devastating consequences.

The headlands will retain upper beach levels and help divert tidal currents, reducing the risk of coastal erosion and flooding, protecting homes, businesses and transport links.

Nature and climate

The rock headlands provide a fantastic opportunity for habitat creation. Similar schemes in other areas have seen an increase in biodiversity, with the rocks providing great habitats for marine life including seaweed, barnacles and small crustaceans.

There is also the potential for the rocks to act as roosting areas for birds during high tide.

• Blackpool Council appointed Jacobs to identify the most effective solution for managing coastal erosion and flood risk, and to develop the headland designs ready for construction
• The works are anticipated to start spring 2026 and are expected to be completed during spring 2029
• Normal working hours will be Monday to Friday between 7.00am and 7.00pm
• Rock deliveries by sea will vary and be dependent on tide times
• A project liaison will be in place to support residents and businesses with any concerns or issues
• Construction compounds will be established south of South Pier, and south of Central Pier. Some plant machinery may be temporarily on other areas of the Promenade

• Autumn 2025 - Off-site project start, rock order placed, quarrying commences
• Spring 2026 to autumn 2026 - Preconstruction including site compounds established
• Autumn 2026 to spring 2029 - Construction

Certain sections of the beach will be temporarily closed at specific times to allow construction works to take place safely. Details of these closures, including times, dates, and locations, will be shared on the council’s website and social media channels.

At no point will the entire stretch of beach, from just south of South Pier to Cocker Square north of North Pier, be closed. The majority of the beach will remain open for the public to enjoy throughout the works.

During certain busy events (e.g. Illuminations Switch On, Blackpool Air Show) no works will take place.

Residents and visitors may be interested about the ongoing works and wish to observe them. We welcome public interest and will do our best to ensure that anyone who chooses to watch can do so safely.

Options for delivering the rock are still being considered, including by road or by sea.

Plant machinery and other materials will need to be delivered by road. The project team are currently assessing the possible routes.

• Construction compounds will be established south of South Pier and south of Central Pier to allow for the storage of materials, plant, machinery, site offices and welfare facilities
• To enable noise dampening and dust reduction, they will be surrounded by solid timber hoarding
• The hoardings will be used by Blackpool Tourism Limited for advertisement, promotions and marketing. Small sections will feature information about the scheme, along with site safety information

Compound one

Compound two

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Our consultation survey has closed.

All responses will be considered before submitting the planning application.

Work on site should begin spring 2026.

If you have any questions, email BBM@blackpool.gov.uk

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