Blackpool Council has announced plans for the Blackpool Bispham Coast Protection Scheme, a £61m project designed to protect the coastline and homes from erosion. The initiative involves building 16 rock groynes along the beach in two sections, stretching from Cocker Square to Gynn Square, and from Bispham to Little Bispham.
The funding, provided by the Environment Agency, is aimed at safeguarding 3,631 households, 380 non-residential properties, and vital local infrastructure, including the tramway. The project uses rock groynes to trap and hold sand on the beach. By creating these headlands, the scheme aims to stabilise the beach, which serves as the primary barrier against storms and prevents existing sea walls from being worn away.
Councillor Jane Hugo, Blackpool Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Change, stated that the project is part of a “hold the line” policy agreed upon with the central government. This commitment ensures the council will focus on maintaining and strengthening coastal defences to prevent the loss of homes to the sea, a situation seen in other parts of the country. This follows separate ongoing efforts at Anchorsholme, where a similar project is already underway to protect over 5,000 properties.
The council has launched a public consultation regarding the proposals, and residents are invited to attend upcoming drop-in sessions to share their views. These sessions will be held at the Central Library on 4 June, the Church of St Stephen on the Cliffs on 17 June, and the Cavendish Road Recreation Ground on 24 June.
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