A pioneering £76m scheme to future proof the North West’s leading holiday resort against flooding has been awarded the prestigious Brunel Medal awarded by the Institution of Civil Engineers.
Blackpool Central Area Coast Protection Scheme employed innovative design and construction techniques to deliver a flagship scheme combining vital coastal protection improvements along with an enhanced seafront environment.
It won the North West Civil Engineering Large Project of the Year back in February. It was subsequently nominated for the Brunel Medal, awarded to teams, individuals or organisations operating within the built environment and recognises excellence in civil engineering
The five year project has seen century old coastal defences replaced along a 3.2 kilometre stretch of coastline between the town’s North and South Piers – a key feature of the resort’s regeneration blueprint. It has also provided enhanced protection against coastal flooding and erosion along the most popular section of the legendary ‘Golden Mile’.
ICE North West Regional Director Alan Butler said the ambitious project stood out for its visionary twin objectives.
“The local authority wanted a scheme that would provide enhanced flood protection to over 600 properties, at the same time doubling as part of its master plan to improve the appeal of the resort and revitalise the local economy,” said Mr Butler.
Innovation, engineering excellence and best practice was prevalent on this unique and challenging project.
An extensive early contractor involvement (ECI) period, prior to and during the planning and design phase, ensured that buildability, sustainability and affordability were key project team considerations from the outset.
The defence shape includes a “summer promenade berm” between the revetment and wave wall, plus a secondary set back wall to control overtopped water and prevent flooding of the town behind while maintaining the promenade’s open aspect. A unique pigmented concrete mix was developed that ensured the concrete blended seamlessly with the ‘golden sands’ for which Blackpool is famous.
Enhanced durability of the revetment was achieved using synthetic macro-fibre reinforcement in place of steel reinforcement. Similarly, use of novel polymer composite reinforcement (GFRP) in the rear flood wall achieved durability enhancements. This was the first time these materials had been used on this scale in the UK.
Finally, the alignment of the scheme created five headland features that generated new spaces and areas for development as part of customer Blackpool Council’s regeneration masterplan for the frontage, to improve the appeal of the resort and revitalise the local economy.
One of the key challenges for contractor, Birse Coastal, was the requirement to keep Blackpool operating as a tourist resort whilst completely re-building the sea defences and promenade through the centre of the town.
To achieve this, the work was programmed in seven sections. Within each section beach works, sea wall and promenade were phased to maintain access and minimise disruption. Liaison with the many interested parties commenced at an early stage of design development and continued throughout the five year construction programme.
Dave Lowiss, Managing Director (North West Region) for contractor Birse Coastal said: “It is a great honour to win this award and receive recognition for our coastal defence scheme. This project has been the largest and certainly one of the most unique coastal defence projects we have undertaken. We have been working in partnership with Blackpool Council for eight years on this scheme and to see such a wonderful completed project, especially one recognised by the industry for its technical merit, and one which is fully embraced by the local community, gives us a real sense of achievement”