We are delighted to announce the final section of the Sea Defence Project at Fairhaven Lake has completed and is now open to the public.
The project, to protect over 2,400 properties from coastal erosion began work on site in 2018 after some years of project development and stretches from Fairhaven Lake to Church Scar promenade on Seafield Road. The previous defences were built in the late 1890s and were in a failing condition, requiring emergency repairs to be financed every year to prevent a breach and coastal erosion.
Further to Fylde Council securing a £21.4m grant investment from the Environment Agency, VBA (a joint venture between VolkerStevin, Boskalis Westminster and SNC-Lavalin’s Atkins business) has completed all the works under budget and ahead of the contract Completion Date in December 2020.
Councillor Roger Small, Chair of the Operational Management Committee Said: “The formal handover yesterday at Stanner Bank was the perfect opportunity to thank the contractor for finishing the work to such a high standard and ahead of schedule.. The newly completed scheme has already been praised by members of the public as well as the government commissioning agencies. We are delighted this is now officially open.”
Councillor Thomas Threlfall, the Council appointed representative for the Fairhaven and Church Scar Sea Defence project board added: “What we see along the shoreline today is beyond my wildest dreams. I want to thank the fantastic team at Fylde Council and VolkerStevin for all of their hard work, which has been complemented many a time already from residents and visitors to the area. Work to be proud of.”
Mark Cronshaw, framework director at VBA, said: “We are very proud of the work we’ve completed in partnership with Fylde Borough Council. Our work provides new coastal protection and an upgraded promenade. We’ve already had some fantastic feedback from local residents which is testament to the effort and hard work of the project team”.
The completed works have already been met with compliments from residents and visitors alike. A recent comment sent direct to the projects dedicated Customer Experience Coordinator read:
“Stunning”, “magnificent “, “amazing” and “well worth the wait” are the comments everyone makes. The vast, uninterrupted view leaves many stuck for words. Without exception everyone I spoke to thinks you have done an incredible job.
I live across the road from Stanner Bank car park and moved in the day it became a construction site. Today is the first time I have seen it without fencing! I know several of us are missing the daily entertainment provided by the JCBs and massive crane.
The logistics were incredible. Materials arrived daily and went onto site in the order of use, not of arrival. There were very few workers, but they were always busy, worked quietly and unfailingly polite and helpful. The road was washed down at the end of the day so cleanliness was never an issue.
We hardly knew you were there which is a testament to the work force and management considering the work lasted for such a long time and took place in all weather.
I would like to say ‘thank you’ on behalf of the residents and shall be obliged if you could pass our thanks on to the work force.
Finally, we locals are delighted that the site has been opened early and without fanfare as we have had a couple of days being able to enjoy ourselves before the crowds arrive.”
This stretch of promenade can now be used for exercise but please continue to practice social distancing when using the promenade and observing other health and safety notices.
