Abstract
The £63million Rossall Coastal Defence Scheme (figure 1) was opened on the 1st June 2018. It was developed through the Fylde Peninsular Coastal programme consisting of Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde Councils, working together in partnership with principal contractor Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering Limited (BBCEL) and main funding body the Environment Agency. The scheme built upon a wealth of learning from previous schemes along the Fylde coast in particular the Cleveleys and Blackpool central schemes. The physical elements of the scheme involved renewing 2kms of failing sea-walls and promenade whilst preserving the beach frontage to better protect over 7,500 properties from coastal flooding from the Irish Sea. However the true value of the works is far greater than property protection alone. This paper will provide a case study on the value added to communities, the environment and the local economy by linking engineering to social, economic and environmental improvement.
Specifically, the case study will explore a development of learning over the last two decades in both engineering construction techniques and the broadening of the scope and vision of what coast defence schemes can achieve for society. The interaction between the users and beneficiaries of the new works in jointly developing a vision for the area in which the coastal defence scheme is a catalyst for wider neighbourhood improvements through the development of high quality public space will be investigated.
Rossall Coastal Defences Before & After
