North Wales beach will be closed for months as major flood defence scheme starts
A multi-million-pound coastal defence scheme in Conwy is due to get underway at the end of the month. Up to 80,000 tonnes of rock from North Wales quarries will brought in for the works between Towyn and Kinmel Bay.
The rocks will be used to strengthen an existing revetment between the two communities. A sea wall will also be raised by 50cm-75cm as this wasn’t designed for projected sea level rises and increased storminess.
The contractor, Jones Bros, will start setting up a compound on the promenade car park on Monday, September 30, and begin construction work a fortnight later. The scheme is expected to be completed by spring 2026.
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During construction, the beach will be closed and some areas will remain off-limits for the scheme's duration. Conwy Council said the closure was ordered for safety reasons and the beach will be “re-opened in phases”.
Some disruption is also expected on the coastal pathway. While Jones Bros aims to keep this open “as much as possible”, some “occasional” diversions will be needed.
A public drop-in session, to share details about the work, is being held at Towyn and Kinmel Bay Town Council Community Resource Centre, on Friday, September 13, 3pm-7pm. Conwy Council said it and the contractors aim to “keep disruption to a minimum”.
“There will be deliveries to site by HGVs, which will be scheduled during working hours only,” said the local authority. “The work has been planned to minimise disruption during holiday periods – rock armour deliveries will be postponed throughout the summer holidays.” Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
Normal working hours will be from 7am-6pm, Monday to Friday. Some activities will need to work around the tide, requiring some some early shifts (5am-6pm) and late shifts (until 10pm).
Additional parking is being identified to offset that lost in the promenade car park when it’s being used as the site compound, said the council. In the main, the contractor will work from west to east, starting by Golden Sands Holiday Park and ending by Sunnyvale Holiday Park.
Work on the area’s coastal defences is seen a chance to improve public spaces and beach access at the same time. Seven sets of steps and ramps are planned.
A new crossing point by Rhyl Harbour Café is also in the design, to improve safety along the pedestrian and cycle route linking Kinmel Bay to Rhyl. Cycling facilities feature heavily in the scheme to encourage active travel, with a planned cycle maintenance station and charging points for e-bikes.
Two “parklets” – miniature parks with seating and “informal” play areas – are also in the plans, along with car park upgrades, a toilet block and street furniture, including lounger seats and picnic tables. Two aging floodgates on the seafront will also be replaced.
Scheme costs have been set at £13m but Conwy Council is only paying 15% of this. The rest has been sourced from the Welsh Government’s Coastal Risk Management Programme. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
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