A pioneering £76m scheme to future proof the North West’s leading holiday resort against flooding has landed the region’s top engineering award.
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 for 2011 at a glittering ceremony held at Chester Racecourse on Friday evening (04 February).
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.
The new defences mean enhanced protection against coastal flooding and erosion along the most popular section of the legendary ‘Golden Mile’.
Councillor Maxine Callow, cabinet member for regeneration and tourism said:
“It is a fantastic achievement to win this award and receive recognition for our coastal defence scheme.
“The Promenade is looking wonderful and with each phase we unveil it gets better and better. We know that visitors returning to Blackpool are amazed by the changes that have taken place along the seafront.
“The biggest change is yet to come and by the summer the whole area outside the tower will be completely transformed as well. “
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.
He pointed to the focus on quality in terms of scheme aesthetics, along with enhanced durability through the design of all promenade elements, from the elliptical concrete sub-station building to pre-cast signage and items of street furniture such as stainless steel lifebuoy housings and waste bins.
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.
Additionally, a pigmented concrete mix was developed for the main defence elements, blending the manmade material with the beach sand. Sustainable Construction was achieved through maximum use of locally sourced recycled material. Demolition sources were identified early to allow the programme and materials to be accommodated.