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 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.”
The Rossall sea defence scheme is due for completion this winter alongside the widened promenade, with the 1.5km Larkholme Grasslands completing in spring 2018.
ENDS
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Notes to editors:
Balfour Beatty (www.balfourbeatty.com) is a leading international infrastructure group. With 30,000 employees, we provide innovative and efficient infrastructure that underpins our daily lives, supports communities and enables economic growth. We finance, develop, build and maintain complex infrastructure such as transportation, power and utility systems, social and commercial buildings.
Our main geographies are the UK, US and South East Asia. Over the last 100 years we have created iconic buildings and infrastructure all over the world including the London Olympics’ Aquatic Centre, Hong Kong’s first Zero Carbon building, the National Museum of the Marine Corps in the US and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.
Balfour Beatty has extensive experience of coastal and flood protection works and a reputation for technical excellence and outstanding service delivery. Utilising its expertise in the production and installation of pre-cast units and bespoke technical solutions, Balfour Beatty is able to complete schemes faster while delivering significant efficiencies for its customers.
Over the last 20 years, Balfour Beatty has delivered more than 75 coastal protection and flood defence projects amounting to over £500 million for clients including local authorities and the Environment Agency. Since 2010 Balfour Beatty has reduced the risk of flooding to over 100,000 properties through its completed schemes.
Major schemes include the £300m ten-year Thames Estuary Asset Management Programme for the Environment Agency and the £86m Rossall and Anchorsholme Coastal Scheme for Wyre and Blackpool Councils, the largest coastal improvement scheme in the country.
Balfour Beatty was awarded Environment Agency National Awards for two recently completed schemes: the £19m Lyme Regis Coastal Defence Scheme for West Dorset District Council and the £24m Morpeth Flood Alleviation Scheme for the Environment Agency.
