Balfour Beatty has been appointed to two coastal defence schemes in Wales, protecting coastlines in Rhyl and Prestatyn for Denbighshire County Council
Awarded via the SCAPE Civil Engineering framework, Balfour Beatty have been selected to deliver on two Wales coastal defence contracts for Denbighshire County Council, with a total value of around £97m.
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 deliver a new coastal erosion embankment spanning 1,600 metres along the coastline in Prestatyn.
The two schemes, valued at c.£69m and c.£28m respectively, will protect over 2,500 local homes, businesses and the tourist economy in Denbighshire from flooding and coastal erosion.
Biodiversity and social value are priorities of the projects
Balfour Beatty will 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 Prestatyn coastal embankment to encourage foraging birds.
At construction peak, the schemes will employ a workforce of 120, including 22 apprenticeship, graduate, and trainee positions.
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.
The appointment follows successful delivery of coastal defence measures in East Rhyl
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, through which the Wales coastal defence contracts were awarded, 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.”
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.
