Blackpool Bispham Coast Protection Scheme

Blackpool's beaches are under threat.

Coastal erosion poses a serious risk to the beach. Climate change is bringing more storms and higher tides, accelerating sand loss. At times, this erosion can expose the clay layer beneath. 

The beach is our first line of defence. If it is lost, the existing defences and Lower Promenade would be directly at risk. The sandy cliffs will rapidly erode, resulting in the loss of homes, businesses, roads and other vital infrastructure being washed away by the sea.

Installing rock groynes is the most effective way to save the beach.

They act as headlands, diverting tidal currents and providing protection from waves and wind. They will trap and retain the natural onshore supply of sand on the upper beach, helping to prevent coastal erosion and stop existing defences and the promenade from being undermined. 

What are rock groynes?

They are coastal defence structures made from large rocks (or boulders) that extend from the beach out into the sea at right angles to the shoreline.  

They are extensively used in the UK and across the world to combat coastal erosion. 

Visualisation at North Shore

Visualisation of rock groynes

Visualisation of rock groynes looking towards the Colonnades, Blackpool Tower and North Pier

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Once a trend of beach lowering was identified in North Shore and Bispham, Blackpool Council engaged coastal engineers from Jacobs UK to determine the best solution.

Of all the options considered, rock groynes were found to be:

Effective

They have been proven to work across the world to address coastal erosion and beach lowering. The nearby Wyre Coast Protection Scheme has seen the groynes already start to trap and retain more sand on the beach.

Viable

Sand is brought towards our beach by Atlantic waves, but ongoing erosion means much of this sand is quickly washed away. Rock groynes are a realistic and effective solution. They trap this sediment, helping it remain on the beach and encouraging the formation of small headlands. By interrupting tidal currents and reducing wave and wind energy, the groynes help the beach build up naturally.

Affordable

Blackpool Council has secured funding from the Environment Agency to deliver the scheme. Our coastline has a government excepted 'hold the line' policy to keep our coastline in its current position and take measures to prevent erosion and flooding. 

This means we can deliver this project with no extra cost to council tax.

Environmentally sustainable

Similar schemes have seen barnacles, small crustaceans and marine plant life create habits on rock sea defence structure, boosting biodiversity. The rocks will also provide roosting areas for birds during high tide.

A team of coastal engineers from Jacobs UK presented a number of options to tackle coastal erosion in North Shore and Bispham. 

Timber groynes

Long wooden structures which run perpendicular to the shore. These have been used in Blackpool in the past. However, they were ineffective in retaining sand on the beach, and caused deep scour channels which filled with water.

Sand engine

Sand engines deposit massive volumes of sand onto a beach. This option was explored but it was found that, along Blackpool's coastline, it would result in unacceptable environmental impacts.

Beach nourishment

This would involve sand being brought from a different location and added to the beach, but without structures in place, such as rock groynes, the sand would quickly be washed away.

In parts of the UK, coastal erosion has caused homes to be lost to the sea. Many more coastal properties and communities are at constant risk from erosion and have to relocate before their properties are lost.

Much of the north Blackpool and Bispham coastline sits on sandy cliffs, which are vulnerable to rapid coastal erosion. This puts homes, businesses and vital infrastructure at direct risk.

By using rock groynes to trap sand, we’re stabilising the beach, preventing failure of existing defences and promenade, and halting coastal erosion. This will protect homes and the community.

Blackpool’s beaches are important for the town’s identity. With more than 20 million visitors a year, Blackpool is a world-class seaside destination.

This is in jeopardy if we lose the beach, which is central to Blackpool’s appeal.

This is where the scheme comes in. We’re ensuring that the beach remains a vital part of our tourism offer, so visitors can enjoy our coastline for generations to come.

Beaches are greater space for outdoor recreation. Residents a range of activities including enjoy walking, running, fishing and water sports on our beaches.

If the beach disappears it will expose the clay layer underneath, making many of these activities difficult to enjoy.

The scheme will ensure that the beach remains and continues to be a much-loved community space. 

The rocks will 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:

• Barnacles
• Small crustaceans
• Marine plantlife
• Sea moss

An increase in coastal biodiversity has a number of benefits, including:

• Reduced carbon emissions
• Better habitats for wildlife
• Fighting air pollution
• Better flood prevention

Birds

The rocks could provide an ideal roosting area for birds during high tide.

They can provide shelter to birds and provide a place to sleep, stay warm and avoid predators. Barnacles, crustaceans and vegetation growing on the rocks will also provide a food source.

Environmental Impact Assessment

A full Environmental Impact Assessment is being carried out by Jacobs UK to determine the complete environmental impact of the scheme.

The Blackpool Bispham Coast Protection Scheme is one part of our plan to protect Blackpool’s coastline.  

We are currently undertaking a number of schemes to prevent coastal erosion, improve flood defences and protect properties.

Coastal erosion has been observed along Blackpool's coastline, which is being accelerated by climate change bringing more storms and higher tides. 

This erosion, if not dealt with, can lead to flooding in certain area putting homes, businesses and infrastructure directly at risk. 

Anchorsholme Coast Protection Scheme

The Anchorsholme Coast Protection Scheme will protect 5,000 homes in and round Anchorsholme from flooding and coastal erosion. 

Five Y and crank‑shaped rock groynes will be installed on the beach at Anchorsholme. These will trap sand and raise the beach level, helping to absorb wave energy and reduce the size of waves reaching the sea wall during storms, lowering the risk of flooding.

Alongside the groynes, rock armour will be added to the revetment to provide a long‑term solution to movement and damage to the existing concrete defences. It will absorb wave energy more effectively than the current smooth concrete slope, offering improved flood protection.

The works for this scheme are ongoing and expected to finish early 2028.

Blackpool Beach Management Scheme

The Blackpool Beach Management Scheme is a major investment into Blackpool's most popular stretch of coastline. 

17 rock groynes will be installed on the beach between South Pier and North Pier to protect homes, businesses and vital infrastructure from coastal erosion and flooding, and preserve Blackpool's beaches for future generations.  

This scheme went to consultation last year and is now awaiting a decision from the council's planning committee.

 Fylde Sand Dunes Project

Fylde Sand Dunes Project is a partnership between Blackpool Council, Fylde Council and the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, fully funded by the Environment Agency. It aims to protect and restore the dunes, which are an important habitat and natural sea defence for Blackpool, St Annes and Lytham. The project also boosts local biodiversity and has supported the return of sand lizards to the area.

Contractors

Blackpool Council appointed Jacobs UK to identify and design the most effective solution to manage coastal erosion along this coastline. Construction will be carried out by Balfour Beatty. 

Beach access

The beach will remain mostly open during the works. Some small sections may need to close at times to allow heavy machinery to operate safely. During closures, marshals will be on the ground to assist the public.

Compounds

Three compounds will be established:

• Promenade next to the Metropole Hotel
• Queens Promenade next to Little Bispham tram stop
• Chapel street

The expected project timeline is as follows:

• Consultation – May to July 2026
• Planning submission and Marine Licence application – Autumn 2026
• Spring 2027 - Off-site mobilisation

Little Bispham to Bispham

• On-site start – Winter 2027
• Beach works start – Spring 2028
• Works complete – Winter 2029
• Queens Promenade compound removal (including site landscaping and reinstatement) – Early 2030

Gynn Square to Cocker Square

• On-site start – Summer 2028
• Beach works start – Summer 2028
• Works complete – Autumn 2029

Have your says on our proposals.

Your feedback will help inform the delivery of this project and will help shape our planning submission.

Complete our consultation survey online.

Alternatively, a paper copy of the survey and return envelope can be obtained from Central Library.

Come along to one of our engagement sessions to meet the project team and learn more:

• Thursday 4 June 1pm to 4pm – Central Library
• Wednesday 17 June 4pm to 7pm – St Stephen on the Cliffs (Holmfield Rd, FY2 9RG)BlackpoolBispham@blackpool.gov.uk
• Wednesday 24 June 4.00pm to 7.00pm – Cavendish Road Recreation Ground

If you have any questions about the scheme please contact BlackpoolBispham@blackpool.gov.uk