Balfour Beatty has reached another milestone in the transformation of the £63 million Rossall sea defence, as the first complete section of the scheme has been unveiled.
The international construction group is offering a first look at a complete section of the scheme as the project enters its final stages
The completed section spanning from the beach to the promenade, has utilised 270,000 tonnes of rock armour to create the base of the defence and specially manufactured precast concrete to form a stepped revetment to protect over 7,500 properties nearby from the risk of flooding.
Mark Farrah, Balfour Beatty Regional Managing Director, North and Midlands, said:
“This milestone marks a significant step in the development of the Rossall flood and coastal defence scheme. Once complete, together with the Anchorsholme coastal project, this will be the largest flood prevention scheme in the UK and will protect 12,500 residents from the risk of flooding.”
Councillor Roger Berry, Cabinet member with responsibility for sea defences at Wyre Council, said:
“This first complete section is a significant milestone in our project to reduce the risk of flooding on this part of the coast. Now the promenade is taking shape much more of the defences are visible from the highway and we have started landscaping the ecology park on the landward side. Once complete, residents will have greater protection from flooding and a much more attractive promenade to enjoy.”
Work has separately started to create an ecology park on the landward side of Rossall sea defences from West Way to Fairway.
The 1.5km strip of land will be known as Larkholme Grasslands and is already classed as a Biological Heritage Site because of the rare species of flora and fauna that grow there.
Balfour Beatty is the main contractor for the construction of the new sea defences and landscaping of Larkholme Grasslands.
The new sea defences are due to be completed in November 2017 when the promenade will also re-open. Larkholme Grasslands will be completed in spring 2018.
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