Bronze Award for Rossall Sea Defences

Wyre Council, Balfour Beatty and the Environment Agency have been awarded a Bronze Award at the Considerate Constructors Scheme awards, in recognition of work to build new sea defenses at Rossall.

The annual national awards recognize sites that have raised the bar for considerate construction.

Wyre Council is replacing two kilometers of sea defenses, from Rossall Hospital to Rossall Point, in a £63 million coastal defense scheme that will protect 7,500 properties from the risk of flooding. Work recently started to develop an ecology park on the landward side of the defenses from West Way to Fairway, to enhance the area through its visual impact and environmental footprint.

Carl Green, Head of Engineering at Wyre Council, said: “To construct such a significant piece of infrastructure whilst minimizing the negative impact on the local community and actively engaging, involving and being part of Fleetwood is an excellent example to the whole construction industry.”

Rossall forms part of the wider Fylde Peninsula Coastal Program, a partnership between Wyre Council, Blackpool Council, Fylde Council and the Environment Agency to replace sea defenses in the largest coastal improvement scheme in the country.

Mark Farrah, Balfour Beatty Regional Managing Director, North and Midlands, said: “It’s fantastic recognition for the commitment we’ve made to the local community and all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes to deliver social benefit to the 7,500 residents nearby. 

“The landscaping work marks the beginning of the end of construction for the Rossall sea defenses. Once complete, Rossall and Anchorsholme will be the largest coastal protection scheme in the UK helping to protect thousands of homes, businesses and the local community from the risk of flooding.”

The new sea defenses are due to be completed in November 2017 when the promenade will also re-open. Larkholme Grasslands will be completed in spring 2018.