Balfour Beatty has announced its appointment to deliver two coastal defence schemes valued at a combined £97 million on behalf of Denbighshire County Council.
The schemes have been awarded through the SCAPE Civil Engineering framework.
The Central Rhyl Coastal Defence scheme will see Balfour Beatty replace over 600 metres of original sea walls and construct a new rock armour defence in Rhyl, whilst the Central Prestatyn Coastal Defence scheme will see the company create a new coastal erosion embankment spanning 1,600 metres along the coastline in Prestatyn.
The two schemes, which are valued at c.£69 million and c.£28 million respectively, will protect over 2,500 local homes, businesses and the tourist economy in Denbighshire from flooding and coastal erosion.
To support the bold targets and ambitions set out in its sustainability strategy, Building New Futures, Balfour Beatty will also create new habitats for several protected species by providing new scrubland for badgers and other small animals and utilising a diverse grass and wildflower seeding mix across the coastal embankment to encourage foraging birds.
In addition, and as part of its commitment to leaving a lasting positive legacy for the communities in which it operates, 40% of Balfour Beatty’s workforce will be made up of people from the local, surrounding area.
Peter Mumford, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s UK Construction Regional Civils business, said: “We are delighted to continue our relationship with Denbighshire County Council following the successful completion of the East Rhyl Coastal Defence scheme last year.
“As the climate continues to change at pace, we will draw on our extensive experience and expertise to deliver these schemes to the highest standard and protect local communities in the area.”
Mark Robinson, group chief executive at SCAPE, said: “We are proud to be working with our partner, Balfour Beatty to accelerate these two projects forward and provide much-needed protection to the residents of Rhyl and Prestatyn.
“Through the SCAPE Civil Engineering Framework, we will work in close collaboration with Balfour Beatty to help them reach their net zero ambitions, while also unlocking social value. In doing so, we can guarantee that both schemes will enrich the local communities and leave a positive lasting legacy for many years to come."
Councillor Barry Mellor of Denbighshire County Council said, “As Lead Member for Highways Transport and the Environment, it’s a pleasure to have Balfour Beatty working with us again on these two new sea defences that will protect over 2,500 properties and businesses for many years into the future.
“Living on the East Ward of Rhyl where we had the devastating floods in 2015, it is pleasing to stop and talk to residents who are so grateful to both Denbighshire County Council and Welsh Government, and of course Balfour Beatty, as they say they can now sleep peacefully at night with the flooding worries taken away.
“It is also gratifying that Balfour Beatty are employing 40% of the local workforce and 22 apprentices. In addition, it is very encouraging that Balfour Beatty has climate and ecological change at the forefront of any work they will be carrying out.”
Works on both schemes are due to commence later this month, with completion of the Central Rhyl Coastal Defence Scheme expected in 2025 and the Central Prestatyn Costal Defence Scheme the following year. At construction peak, the schemes will employ a workforce of 120, including 22 apprenticeship, graduate, and trainee positions.
