Littlehaven promenade and seawall, South Shields, UK

The Littlehaven promenade and seawall scheme has transformed a stretch of South Shields' seafront in north-east England from a neglected length of coastline into a desirable visitor destination. The project involved the demolition of a failing seawall, on-site reuse of excavated material in raising levels and landscaping of backing land areas, and construction of a 500 m promenade and seawall along a new, landward and more sustainable, curved alignment. High quality concrete finishes, bespoke public art and breathtaking streetscape were used to ensure this striking scheme captured the public imagination and revitalised the seafront. This paper focuses on aspects of this multiple award-winning scheme that recognise: its technical engineering excellence and ingenuity; its sustainability merits and environmental considerations; the benefits that have been created for the local community; special features of distinction; and the approach to health and safety management during design and construction. The scheme illustrates how a positive and collaborative approach can be created between parties through a shared vision for enhancement of a coastal frontage, and how such enhancement can be delivered through attention to detail in designing and constructing the works.