Defending Porthcawl from flooding

Work is currently underway on a new £6.4m scheme that will help to defend Porthcawl from flooding and any potential future rise in sea levels.

“This new multi-million pound scheme marks the latest investment into Porthcawl and follows the success of the all-new £3m sea defences created at Town Beach,” said Councillor Charles Smith, Cabinet Member for Communities.

Construction specialists Knights Brown have set up a compound on land at Salt Lake and have commenced the first phase of the work, which is focusing on the iconic Western Breakwater.

The internal structure of the 200 year old breakwater still features its original wooden core, and needs extensive renovation and refurbishment to ensure that it can continue to stand up to the tides and tough maritime weather conditions.

As part of a second phase, Knights Brown will carry out work to upgrade the Eastern Promenade to create improved flood defences between Porthcawl Marina and Coney Beach.

The work will then extend into Sandy Bay and as far as Rhych Point, where flood defences and dune protection works will be upgraded.

The flood defence work is being jointly funded by Welsh Government and Bridgend County Borough Council as part of the Coastal Risk Management Programme.