Balfour Beatty Completes £63M Rossall Coastal Defense Scheme

Balfour Beatty has successfully completed the £63-million Rossall coastal defense scheme for Wyre Council in partnership with the Environment Agency. The scheme, located in Lancashire, England, forms part of the largest-single investment in coastal flood defense by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

The scheme will protect the town’s tramway, hospital and schools whilst reducing flood risk to 7,500 nearby residential properties through two kilometres of sea defenses.

To successfully complete the Rossall project, over 10,000 specially manufactured precast concrete units were lifted into position, alongside 86,342 tons of rock underlayer and 241,000 tons of rock armor sourced from 12 quarries across the north of the UK.

The successful delivery of the scheme means the coastline now features a promenade lined with artwork and a poetry trail, as well as a new ecology park designed by British sculptor Stephen Broadbent. Known as Larkholme Grasslands, the park has been created on a Biological Heritage site which features rare species of flora and fauna. A lagoon area behind the new defenses offers additional flood storage and a new habitat for rich and diverse wildlife.

Sir James Bevan, Environment Agency chief executive, said: “This is one of the biggest investments ever in a coastal flood scheme. It will reduce flood risk to 7,500 homes, create new green space and benefit the local economy, including by using locally sourced materials. It’s a great example of partnership: by working together the Environment Agency, Wyre Council, our other partners and the local community have helped create an even better place for people and wildlife.”

Throughout the project lifecycle, the scheme has provided 85 work opportunities for local people, as well as numerous engagement events with local schools. The project has placed great importance on earn and learn initiatives with eight members of the workforce completing NVQs, two graduates and three trainees.

Image: Rossall Coastal Defense Scheme.