Anchorsholme Coast Protection Scheme

Work on the beach and sea wall is due to begin on Tuesday 5 May 2026.

The set‑up of the construction compounds is nearly complete, and the main works are now due to begin. This will start with works to the sea wall, which will see rock armour added to the sloped revetment to strengthen and protect the existing structure.

Beach access

You may notice work taking place on the beach. Access to the beach and promenade will remain open throughout the works.

The work area on the beach will be established each day and marked with red and white chains. When work is taking place on the beach, marshals will be present to assist members of the public safely.

Promenade access

Promenade access will remain open. There may be times when heavy machinery needs to cross the walkways to gain access to the beach. During these times, measures will be in place to temporarily prevent pedestrian crossings, and marshals will be on site to manage this safely.

Transport and traffic

No road closures are expected during this stage of construction. A section of Cycle Route 62 will close periodically, with diversions provided.

Blackpool Council is working closely with the contractors Balfour Beatty to minimise disruption and ensure public safety. Balfour Beatty is a member of the Considerate Constructors scheme, which requires high standards to be met and where possible exceeded.

Beach access and safety

You may notice work taking place on the beach as construction gets underway. Access to the beach and promenade will remain open throughout the works.

During construction, the beach will be a busy working site, with large equipment in operation and rocks temporarily stored ahead of final placement. For everyone’s safety, the public will be asked to stay clear of the designated working areas.

The work area on the beach will be established each day and clearly marked with red and white chains. When work is taking place on the beach, marshals will be present to assist members of the public safely.

The existing beach access steps will close temporarily at times to allow construction of the new steps and to manage safety between the public and machinery operating on the beach. The works will be planned to ensure that some access points remain open, allowing people to exit the beach in the event of an emergency.

Promenade access

Promenade access will remain open throughout the works. There may be occasions when a small section of the promenade needs to close temporarily to allow construction machinery and deliveries to access the beach.

When this is required, measures will be in place to temporarily prevent pedestrian crossings, and marshals will be on site to manage this safely.

Travel and transport

No road closures are expected during this stage of construction. A section of Cycle Route 62 will close periodically, with diversions provided.

Working times

Normal working hours are Monday to Friday between 7.00am and 7.00pm.

Work on the beach will vary each day within these hours to align with tide times. 

Environmental Management Plan

A construction environmental management plan has been produced. This plan contains provisions to ensure that environmental concerns such as noise, vibration, dust and pollution risks are effectively managed.

The expected project timeline is as follows:

• January 2026 – Construction compound installation
• May 2026 – Start of revetment works
• Spring 2027 – Start of rock groyne works
• Summer 2027 - Completion of revetment works
• Early 2028 – Completion of rock groyne works

Rock groynes

Five Y‑ and crank‑shaped rock groynes will be installed on the beach at Anchorsholme. These will trap sand and raise the beach level, helping to absorb wave energy and reduce the size of waves reaching the sea wall during storms, lowering the risk of flooding.

To allow access for authorised vehicles on the beach, access ramps will be built into the start of each groyne.

Rock revetment

A rock revetment will be built to provide a long‑term solution to movement and damage to the existing concrete defences. It will absorb wave energy more effectively than the current smooth concrete slope, offering improved flood protection.

The revetment work will be carried out by contractor Balfour Beatty at no cost to the council.

The current beach access steps and ramps will be modified to allow access via the rock revetment.

Construction compounds

Two construction compounds have been established at the southern end of the scheme, near Little Bispham tram stop. These will support the works and provide access for materials and equipment onto the beach.

Strengthening existing sea defences

The coastal defences at Anchorsholme were completed in 2017. However, they have not performed as well as expected in one small area, where movement and damage to the sea wall has occurred.

To fix this, rock armour will be added to the sloped revetment. This will add weight to help stabilise the structure and protect it from further damage.

The rocks will also help break up wave energy more effectively, improving protection against flooding.

Since the defences were designed and built, new UK climate change projections have been published. These show that sea levels are expected to rise more than previously predicted.

Although the height of the existing sea wall does not need to increase, extra measures are needed to manage the growing flood risk. Higher sea levels and larger waves could otherwise overtop the defences in the future.

Tackling coastal erosion

A healthy beach plays an important role in protecting the coast from flooding and erosion. While beach levels naturally rise and fall during the year, there has been a long‑term loss of sand at Anchorsholme.

At times, this has caused the clay beneath the sand to become exposed. Once this clay erodes, the beach can be lost permanently. Action is needed to stabilise the beach.

Rock groynes will help trap sand and build up beach levels. This will reduce the size and strength of waves reaching the sea wall during storms, lowering the risk of flooding.

A higher and more stable beach will also improve access and enjoyment for residents and visitors. The rocks will create new habitats, helping to support wildlife and boost biodiversity.

Rock groynes have already worked well along the coast at Rossall to the north, and similar measures are planned further along Blackpool's coastline.

The council has been allocated £11m by the Environment Agency for the construction of rock groynes on the beach.

The rock revetment will be delivered by contractors Balfour Beatty at no cost to the council, with an estimated value of around £20m.

The total value of the project is approximately £31m.

Consultation

In November 2024 the council launched a consultation into the scheme. Over 100 responses were received. These were considered before submitting the planning application.

Planning consent

The scheme's planning application has been approved.

You can view documents related to the planning submission through the online planning system. The application reference is 25/0053.

We’ll keep you informed through a variety of channels, including:

• Social media
• Press releases
• The Blackpool Council website
• The sea defences e‑newsletter

If you have any questions about the scheme, please email anchorsholme@blackpool.gov.uk 

Report an issue

To report an urgent issue with the works, please contact any of the following:

• Balfour Beatty (contractors): chris.leach@balfourbeatty.com
• Blackpool Council Customer First: 01253 477477
• Public liaison officer: jane@therabbitpatch.co.uk or 07932143431

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