Major construction work on the Central Prestatyn Coastal Defence Scheme, led by Balfour Beatty, is set to resume in October 2024 following a six-month pause.
The delay was necessary to allow for the settling of an earth embankment, which was constructed in an earlier phase of the project.
The steel sheet piling, a crucial part of the flood defence system, will begin after confirmation that the ground has settled as expected.
Denbighshire County Council explained in a statement: “During this break, the ground has been closely monitored using surveys and satellite information. Following geotechnical specialist guidance, confirmation has now been given that the area has settled as expected, and stage 3 construction can commence.”
While major works were paused, construction continued on other parts of the project, including a new beach access ramp near Central Footpath, which runs through a golf course opposite Lyons Robin Hood Holiday Park. This ramp is nearing completion, allowing for the resurfacing of the promenade to proceed.
The council confirmed that major construction work is expected to resume in late September or early October 2024. The first step will involve importing stone fill to the embankment, starting at the golf course and heading east towards Terfyn Pella.
The stone will support the installation of steel sheet piles, referred to as “panels,” which range in length from 4 to 7 meters and will cover a 1,650-meter stretch of coastline.
The steel panels are integral to the coastal flood defence system, and the installation process has been carefully designed to minimize noise and vibration. The piles will be pushed into place using a specialized piling excavator attachment called a Movax, which will drive the panels through a sand “chimney” to further reduce disruption for nearby residents.
Noise and vibration monitors will remain in place throughout the construction to ensure that levels stay within allowable limits. The sheet piling will begin near the Golf Clubhouse on the western end of the site and progress eastward, finishing near the existing sand dunes. This phase of the work is expected to take approximately 12 weeks, starting in mid-October.
Chris Hull, Balfour Beatty project manager, expressed satisfaction with the progress of the scheme: “We’re pleased that our work to protect hundreds of homes and businesses along the Prestatyn coastline will recommence later this month.
“Having given the earth embankment time to settle naturally, we will now progress with the third and final phase of the scheme. During this next stage, we will remain focused on minimising disruption to the local community wherever possible.”
Denbighshire County Council’s lead member for environment and transport, Barry Mellor, also commended the project’s progress and thanked the public for their patience: “Work has progressed well on this scheme, and with the area now settled, the work can now continue with confidence, and the next steps can progress further.”
The Central Prestatyn Coastal Defence Scheme aims to provide crucial protection against flooding for hundreds of homes and businesses in the area. With the final phase now set to begin, the project is poised to make significant strides in enhancing coastal resilience along the Prestatyn shoreline.
(Image credit: Denbighshire Council)
