East Rhyl Coastal Defence Scheme

The East Rhyl Coastal Defence Scheme funded by Denbighshire County Council and the Welsh Government will protect 1,650 properties in East Rhyl from coastal flooding.

Works began in April 2020 and were due to end in December 2022, however the scheme has been completed ahead of schedule.

The successful placement of 128,000 tonnes of rock armour in front of the existing sea defences at East Rhyl and the newly added 600 metres of sea defence wall and promenade will protect the area from current storms and the impact of climate change.

Principal contractors Balfour Beatty undertook the majority of works.

East Rhyl Coastal Defence Scheme (In progress)

Community benefits from the scheme included a beach access gate at Old Golf Road for use at weekends, renovation works at the Splash Point and the donation of Groynes to the RNLI for their memorial area and to Friends of the Cob for the Glan Morfa site.

Other benefits included using the North Wales supply chain for rock deliveries, a virtual mentoring session with Working Denbighshire to help those looking or work in the construction industry and donations to Sussex Street Food Bank.

Construction added value report

Employment and skills

85% local employment within 40 miles (against a target of 75%)
99% local subcontractor spend within 40 miles (against a target of 75%)
86% of the supply chain that are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
45/50 Considerate Constructors Score
8 new jobs created
191 days’ work experience provided for local people
112 students engaged through curriculum activities

Overall value added

£10,154,578 total value for money (including social value)

Social value

£7,201,813 added social value (independently verified by Social Value Portal)

Procurement savings

£350,000 savings to Denbighshire through using the framework

Health and safety

100% safety (no RIDDORs)
133,000 hours worked without an LTI (Lost Time Injury)

Challenges

Pouring 1,790 cubic metres of concrete - equivalent to the weight of 95,452,843 Cadbury’s Dairy Milk Bars!
Installing 150,000 tonnes of rock armour - equivalent to the weight of 8333 double decker buses!

Environmental benefits

80% of rock revetment materials sourced locally
82% reduction in CO2 emissions on site due to innovative Econet system
99% waste diverted from landfill
100 years effective and sustained coastal erosion and flood protection provided