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Anchorsholme Coast Protection Scheme

We're improving coastal defences at Anchorsholme.

The Anchorsholme Coast Protection Scheme will safeguard homes and businesses, protecting the community for years to come.

Blackpool’s coastline is under growing threat of erosion. If we don’t take action, over 5,000 properties in and around Anchorsholme could be at risk of flooding.

The council has been allocated £11m by the Environment Agency to construct rock groynes on the beach. A rock revetment will also be built to provide a long-term solution to movement and damage of the existing concrete defences.

For updates, keep checking this page or subscribe to our sea defences newsletter.

Latest updates

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We have launched a new WhatsApp channel where you can get the latest updates on the scheme. 

Join the Anchorsholme Coast Protection Scheme WhatsApp channel. 

Works start

The set-up of the construction compounds is complete, and the main works have now begin. These will start with work to the sea wall, including the addition of rock armour to the sloped revetment to strengthen and protect the existing structure, and the works to improve the beach access steps.

Beach access

While the beach from Little Bispham to Kingsway remains open throughout the works, the access steps have temporarily closed to allow the construction of new steps and to keep beach users safe while heavy machinery is in operation. Some access steps will remain open to allow people to leave the beach in an emergency. 

During working hours (7.00am to 7.00pm, Monday to Friday), the beach is a busy site with large equipment in operation and rocks temporarily stored before final placement. For safety, the public are asked to stay clear of the designated working area.

The working area is established at the start of each day and clearly marked with red and white chains. When work is taking place, marshals will be on site to help members of the public move around the area safely.

Promenade access

Promenade access will remain open throughout the works. At times, heavy machinery will need to cross the walkways to access the beach. During these periods, pedestrian access may be temporarily paused and marshals will be on hand 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.

ACPS Works 1 (Image credit Balfour Beatty) Anchorsholme revetment works (image credit: Balfour Beatty)
ACPS Works 3 (Image credit Balfour Beatty) Anchorsholme revetment works (image credit: Balfour Beatty)
ACPS Works 2 (Image credit Balfour Beatty) Anchorsholme revetment works (image credit: Balfour Beatty)
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The work

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.

ACPS Visualisation (Image credit Balfour Beatty) Anchorsholme Coast Protection Scheme visualisation (image credit: Balfour Beatty)
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Access and safety

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

While the beach from Little Bispham to Kingsway remains open throughout the works, the access steps have temporarily closed to allow the construction of new steps and to keep beach users safe while heavy machinery is in operation. Some access steps will remain open to allow people to leave the beach in an emergency.

During working hours (7.00am to 7.00pm, Monday to Friday), the beach is a busy site with large equipment in operation and rocks temporarily stored before final placement. For safety, the public are asked to stay clear of the designated working area.

The working area is established at the start of each day and clearly marked with red and white chains. When work is taking place, marshals will be on site to help members of the public move around the area safely.  

Promenade access

Promenade access will remain open throughout the works. At times, heavy machinery will need to cross the walkways to access the beach. During these periods, pedestrian access may be temporarily paused and marshals will be on hand 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.

Vibrations

The contractors continually monitor vibrations that could cause disruption to local residents.

Specialist monitoring equipment is placed on or near the working area to detect small vibrations. These are measured and recorded continuously.

Recorded vibration levels are compared against recognised safe limits. If vibrations exceed these limits, the monitoring equipment will trigger an alert to the site team. Works will then be paused while the cause is investigated.

If you have concerns about vibrations near the works, please contact:

Project timeline

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

Why it's needed

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.

Aerial view of the Rossall Coastal Defence Scheme Rock groynes at Rossall Beach where they have significantly raised the beach sand levels.
Image portraying beach lowering at Anchorsholme with clay underneath visible. Beach lowering at Anchorsholme has at times caused the clay underneath to become exposed.
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Funding

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 and planning

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.

Keep in touch

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

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:

Public Liaison Officer

The scheme's public liaison officer will be in the information cabin at the site compound entrance on Thursdays from 9.00am to 12 noon. 

Sea defences newsletter

To stay updated on the progress of the Anchorsholme Coast Protection Scheme, and our other sea defence projects, sign up to our sea defences newsletter.

WhatsApp channel

We have launched a new WhatsApp channel where you can get the latest updates on the scheme.

Join the Anchorsholme Coast Protection Scheme WhatsApp channel.