Blackpool Council: Green light for plan to address beach levels in Anchorsholme

Blackpool Council made an application to the Environment Agency for £11m for additional works to the sea defenses in Anchorsholme to address beach lowering.

Funding for the original Anchorsholme Coast Protection scheme was approved in 2013, during construction there was a requirement for additional works to the headland area and further approval was given by the Environment Agency in 2016 for these works.

Following a storm in 2017, a defect was identified which the contractor agreed to address, at their expense, by providing rock armor along the revetment wall.

Over the last two years, exploratory works have been carried out to inform the outline business case for coast protection and beach management along the coastline.

These investigations have identified accelerated beach lowering in Anchorsholme. In order to retain the beach and sand, it is proposed that groynes are installed during the construction period for the rock armor works to the revetment wall.

“The groynes will act as headlands to trap and retain natural onshore supply of sand. They will also stabilize and retain upper beach at toe of revetment as well as the immediate foreshore area,” the Council said.

The Environment Agency has allocated £61 million to replace and upgrade coastal defenses in the north of the town and £57 million has been allocated to a beach management scheme between Cocker Square and South Pier. This is set to address beach levels, ensuring that the life of the sea defenses in that area are prolonged.

Also, these projects will reduce the risk of coastal flooding for over 10,000 households, said the Council.