National award for Fairhaven sea defences
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The project between Fairhaven Lake and Church Scar Lytham has earned the Institute of Civil Engineers’ Sustainability Award for 2021.
Costing £21.8m and largely funded by the Environment Agency, the work was carried out on behalf of Fylde Council by specialists VBA in three stages over two and a half years.
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Hide AdThe final section from Stanner Bank to St Paul’s Avenue was opened last summer.
In its citation, the Institute says: “The scheme is all about protecting properties and infrastructure from coastal erosion and flooding threat.
“A huge carbon saving was achieved including 97 per cent of the waste recycled and reused.
“The project also used 80 per cent local labour, providing opportunities for apprentices and work experience.
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Hide Ad“Safe easy access to the beach is now provided for all – an exemplary job.”
The project beat off competition from the Manchester Metrolink Trafford Park Line to win the award.
Coun Cheryl Little, chairman of Fylde Council’s tourism and leisure committee, said: “The award is testament to all the hard work which went into the project and our thanks to everyone for their patience while it was completed.
“As well as providing protection from the sea, the new wall has already become a very popular with walkers and those numbers will grow markedly after lockdown ends and the new features at Fairhaven Lake are available.”
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Hide AdThe work replaces walls built in the 1890s and has provided a new continuous footpath from Fairhaven Lake to Church Scar at Lytham.
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