Balfour Beatty opens first section of £125M north Wales coastal defence scheme a year early

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A 600m sea wall has been installed, along with 128,000t of rock armour, to protect East Rhyl for the first stage of the project where defence schemes are under construction in Central Rhyl and Central Prestatyn.

In East Rhyl, the new sea wall will protect more than 1,650 properties for the next 100 years, including those affected by severe flooding that took place in Denbighshire in 2013. The floods led to 400 people in Rhyl being evacuated from their homes.

Balfour Beatty area director Eddie Lundon said: “The completion of the East Rhyl Coastal Defence Scheme marks three years of hard work and dedication and is testament to Balfour Beatty’s ability to efficiently deliver large-scale coastal defence projects.

“Through leveraging our expert capabilities and deep domain knowledge, working in true collaboration with Denbighshire County Council and our supply chain, we have protected 1,650 homes from coastal flooding and provided communities across East Rhyl with a lasting, positive legacy.”

The section of the scheme that has been completed was due to cost £27M.

During the next two and a half years, both Central Rhyl and Central Prestatyn flood defences will receive a substantial upgrading, with plans agreed for the promenade in Rhyl to also be transformed. In March, Balfour Beatty was selected to also deliver those projects.

Senedd climate change minister Julie James said: “I am impressed, delighted and thankful to all partners who have worked to deliver the East Rhyl coastal scheme under budget and nearly a year ahead of schedule, despite the trials and tribulations of the pandemic.”

The project has been funded by the Welsh government and Denbighshire County Council.

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