Flood risk reduced for 5,000 Blackpool properties after £27 million flood defense scheme
A £27.1 million scheme has been opened by Blackpool Council to reduce the flood risk for nearly 5,000 seaside homes and businesses.
The scheme, funded by the Environment Agency and government grant aid, allowed for the replacement of a kilometer stretch of concrete sea wall at Anchorsholme, which protects critical infrastructure and a pumping station.
(Photo/Flickr user Gidzy)
It also funded the replacement of the popular promenade, which allows visitors to look out over the Irish sea.
Nearby Anchorsholme Park is also being redeveloped as part of the scheme, which is hoped to protect the seaside town, and its tourism, for the next 100 years.
Blackpool Council Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, Councillor Fred Jackson said: “I am delighted that this vital sea defense scheme has been officially opened. We now have a sea wall that will provide much stronger flood protection for years to come.”
According to Floods Minister Therese Coffey, the regeneration will also protect Blackpool’s iconic tram network ahead of winter.
Winter is typically the most damaging time for the United Kingdom coastline, as windstorms often lead to erosion and flooding.
According to AccuWeather Meteorologist Steve Travis, Blackpool is particularly susceptible to the impacts of major windstorms.
“It seems like anytime there’s a major windstorm, Blackpool gets big waves which are capable of flooding the coastal areas.”
The area sustained significant flood damage in 2007 and also twice along the shoreline in January 2014.
AccuWeather meteorologists are predicting this winter to produce frequent windstorms, with the first half of the season being the most active.
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