Restoration set to begin on Morecambe sea wall

Work on the first phase of a £10m project to replace the Lancashire town’s wave reflection wall is due to start on 2 November 2015.

Built in the 1980s the wall, which runs the length of the promenade and protects approximately 12,000 properties from flooding, has started to deteriorate.

The project is taking place in three stages and the first phase will see the replacement of 1,800m of the wall on Marine Road East between Lord Street and Happy Mount Park incorporating new surfacing, seating and lighting.

During the works the old playground opposite Lord Street will be used as part of the base for the construction offices and materials compound, but will be replaced at the end of phase one.

The contractor for the first phase project is VBA, which is a joint venture comprising VolkerStevin, Boskalis Westminster and Atkins. The project which will also see VolkerStevin’s sister company VolkerBrooks work on casting for the wall.

Cllr Janice Hanson, cabinet member with responsibility for economic regeneration, said: “This is an important project for Morecambe. We have worked closely with our contractor to minimise the disruption during works to enable two-way traffic to be maintained at all times.

“We will be liaising with those property owners ahead of the works and any footpath or promenade closures will be properly signposted with diversions when required.”

Work is due to be completed on phase one by spring 2017.

Subsequent phases will focus on the Marine Road West area from the Midland Hotel to the Battery and the Sandylands Promenade area. In total the work is expected to last up to six years.

The project is funded by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, the Environment Agency and Lancaster City Council.