A £27 million scheme to reduce flood risk to 4,800 properties at Anchorsholme in Blackpool has been officially opened by the Chair of the Environment Agency Emma Howard Boyd.
The new defence at Anchorsholme will help to protect vital infrastructure and a major pumping station, as well as safeguarding Blackpool’s iconic seafront tramway.
A kilometre of concrete sea wall has been replaced, maintaining access to the beach, and a new promenade constructed which links the seafront to the nearby Anchorsholme Park, which is being redeveloped.
The new defences, which have been delivered by contractors Balfour Beatty, will help protect Blackpool’s tourism and recreational income for the next 100 years.
The scheme forms part of the Fylde Peninsula Coastal Programme, a partnership between the Environment Agency and Wyre, Blackpool and Fylde councils to reduce flood risk to people and develop historic and natural environments.
Anchorsholme, together with the Rossall project, which is due to be completed next year, form one of the largest coastal defence projects in the country.
The Blackpool Council scheme has been funded by the Environment Agency through government grant aid which has provided £20 million of government funding.
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