Govt invests £118m to save Blackpool beaches

The Environment Agency has awarded the local authority funds for two large-scale coastal defence projects.

Of the £118m given by the government’s Environment Agency, £61m will go towards building up sea defences between Little Bispham, Bispham, Gynn Square, and Cocker Square.

The remaining £57m is meant for the council’s Blackpool Central Area Beach Nourishment Scheme, which will see the replacement of sand that had previously been lost to the sea. This nourishment scheme has seen a jump in funding, having originally been set for £12m.

Blackpool Council’s executive will be meeting on Monday to discuss procurement tactics for these two projects. The council does not want to be beholden to use the Environment Agency’s Collaborative Delivery Framework – instead, it is recommended for executive members approve a tactic of using the framework where appropriate and then using alternative coast protection framework contractors if needed.

“In light of the scale and size of the coastal defence schemes to be delivered, it is appropriate for the council to have flexibility in terms of the use of all appropriate delivery frameworks available in order to ensure value for money,” a council report reads.

Both coastal defence projects are to be delivered between now and 2027.