Support for new sea wall plans

The ongoing sea defence scheme, which will provide new coastal protection at Fairhaven and Lytham’s Church Scar, began in January, and is expected to be completed in 2020.

People met with councillors and representatives from building company VBA to discuss the project at the sea defences information centre on Friday. Coun Cheryl Little, who attended the event, said: “The outcome has been very positive. The feedback we are getting is very good.

“There has been a lot of peoople with concerns about the scheme, but now that people can see the plans and actually talk to the engineers it has alleviated a lot of fears.”

A temporary diversion has been set up for pedestrians along the sand dunes to maintain access between Lytham Green and Ansdell Road.

The work was met with some criticism earlier this month after it was revealed that the triangle of land to the west of Lytham Green, where the popular Club Day weekend funfair is traditionally held, would not be available this year.

But Council leader Sue Fazackerley said: “People will be inconvenienced for a time but we have got to look at the bigger picture. This is such a great project for the residents of this area and for the whole of the coastal strip.

“It’s going to protect us from flooding and that’s the main benefit. We have been lucky so far but we have got to take these precautions.”

Avril Wilkinson, from Fairhaven, who attended the consultation, said: “It looks wonderful. I think it will smarten the area up and the pictures look good.”

Her husband, Rob Wilkinson, added: “I think it is a good job that’s it’s being done and the finished designs look good. You can see why it needed to be done and it should be an improvement to the area.”