Blackpool's 11.25 kilometre marine frontage is protected from erosion by the sea wall, which needs constant maintenance.
Under the Coastal Protection Act the council must ensure the stability of sea walls and ensure their continued maintenance, for which a detailed Coast Protection Strategy was adopted by the council in 1995.
Coastal Protection Plan
Blackpool is set to undergo a multi-million pound Coastal Protection Plan. Three schemes are under development to protect 12,000 properties from the risk of flooding.
These are the Anchorsholme Coast Protection Scheme, the Blackpool Beach Management Scheme, and coastal defence upgrades in Bispham.
Blackpool Beach Management scheme
Blackpool Council has been awarded £57 million from the Environment Agency for the Blackpool Beach Management scheme, which would see the construction of 17 rock headlands between Cocker Square and South Pier. This will address beach levels, which are falling quicker than anticipated across 3km of seawall, ensuring that the life of the sea defences is prolonged.
The Blackpool Beach Management scheme consultation survey has closed.
Anchorsholme Coast Protection Scheme
The proposed Anchorsholme Coast Protection Scheme will safeguard over 5,000 properties from flooding. Environment Agency funding has been allocated to construct rock groynes, designed to trap sand and stabilise the beach.
A rock revetment will also be constructed to provide a long-term solution that addresses movement and damage to the existing concrete defences. This work will be carried out by the contractor Balfour Beatty at no cost to the council.
Bispham coastal defence upgrades
The Environment Agency has allocated funds to replace and upgrade coastal defences in Bispham.
The scheme will see two sections of sea defences refurbished: 1.5km from Princess Way at Little Bispham to Red Bank Road, and 1.3km from Gynn Square to Cocker Square.
This scheme will reduce the risk of erosion to 3,631 households, 380 non-residential properties and protect strategically important infrastructure that is vital to Blackpool as a resort and community, including the tramway.
Previous coastal defence schemes
Here is a brief overview of previous coastal defence schemes in Blackpool:
- Blackpool Coastal Defence Strategy: A 20 year initiative aimed at rebuilding critical defence sections, with £62 million invested in transforming the promenade from the Sandcastle Centre to North Pier and constructing a 3.2 km seawall along the same stretch
- Rossall and Anchorsholme Coast Protection Scheme: A partnership between Blackpool and Wyre councils to enhance and replace sea defences, safeguarding 12,000 properties from coastal flooding. The £86 million project was one of the UK's largest flood defence programmes, with Rossall’s sea wall opening in June 2018. Further coastal defence works are proposed for Anchorsholme
- Anchorsholme Park Improvement: United Utilities carried a major £200m construction project at Anchorsholme Park between 2015 and 2020 to manage wastewater and improve bathing water quality. Read more
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