Councillor raises urgent concerns over ‘dangerous’ groynes plan for Blackpool beach
Urgent child safety concerns have been raised about plans to install 17 rock groynes along Blackpool’s golden sands
A Blackpool councillor has raised urgent child safety concerns about plans to install 17 rock groynes along Blackpool’s golden sands as part of a multi-million pound coastal defence project.
Cllr Gerard Walsh says there have been a number of incidents in other areas in which children have become trapped in the solid, immovable rocks.
And with Blackpool attracting many families during the holiday season, coupled with the quickly changing tides, he fears there could be a tragedy waiting to happen.
He spoke out after a planning application for the massive sea defence project in Blackpool was lodged earlier this month.
The proposed Blackpool Beach Management scheme is a £57m investment in the town’s coastal defences, which aims to protect homes and businesses from flooding.
Critically, the scheme is also aimed at preserving the resort’s golden sandy beaches for future generations with a warning they could be lost forever unless this action is taken.
Cllr Walsh, who owns holiday accommodation in the resort and expects many visitors each year, said: “It is a major worry for me because children are going to be drawn to those rocky structures and will want to climb on them.
“There have been several incidents over the years where children have got an arm or leg trapped and it has been really hard to free them.
“If there weren’t incoming tides involved it wouldn’t be too critical but visitors – and even locals – don’t always understand how quickly the sea comes in.
“What I want to know is whether there could be an alternative – a design made from wood which would be safer.
“Will there be any safeguards in place, including specialised RNLI equipment, to help if anyone gets trapped? Will there be signage in place to warn about potential dangers?”
The Conservative councillor for Squires Gate ward added: “Obviously we need to safeguard our sand and I understand that.
“Would it be possible to bring in sand in from other areas and even other countries? They seem to be able to do that elsewhere – why can’t we?”
In 2011, the RAF had to rescue three teenagers from the oncoming tide after one of them got her leg caught between rocks on Clacton beach.
Last year a nine-year-old boy drowned in front of his horrified parents after getting trapped between two rocks at a busy beach in New South Wales, Australia.
Balfour Beatty, the company delivering the scheme, were approached for a comment.
The application seeks planning permission for the installation of 17 groynes, with associated structures and periodic beach recharge works.
Although it is accepted that this may change the look and character of the beaches, the applicants warn that unless urgent action is taken, they could be lost forever.
Climate change is causing beach sand levels to lower, which could expose the clay beneath and pose a serious risk to existing sea defences. This is already happening in Anchorsholme, Blackpool’s northern‑most coastline, where work recently began on another sea defence project.
The beach provides the first line of defence against coastal erosion and flooding during storms by breaking the force of the waves.
The Blackpool Beach Management scheme proposals include the construction of 17 rock headlands on the beach in an area stretching from just south of South Pier to Cocker Square, just north of North Pier. Blackpool Council has been awarded funding for the scheme from the Environment Agency.
Cllr Jane Hugo, Blackpool Council Deputy Leader and cabinet member for climate change, said: “This scheme is essential for securing Blackpool’s future as both a great place to live and a much‑loved seaside destination.
“If we don’t act now, we risk losing our beach forever and increasing the threat of flooding to our communities.
“This scheme will safeguard homes and businesses while protecting our coastline for generations to come.”
A Planning and Design Statement on behalf of the application states: “The introduction of new permanent structures would inevitably alter the character of the beach, thereby affecting some local views of the beach, and impacting upon the setting of the Extended Town Centre Conservation Area, the North Promenade Conservation Area and associated listed buildings.
“However, this harm is considered to be substantially outweighed by the demonstrable public benefits of the Scheme.”
The planning application can be viewed on the planning portal at www.blackpool.gov.uk/planningsearch using the reference 26/0084.