Blackpool Council update as Anchorsholme beach access steps closed for major sea defence works

Beachgoers heading to Anchorsholme have been advised that access steps from the promenade to the beach are currently closed while vital sea defence works take place.

The beach between Little Bispham tram stop and Kingsway remains open, although small areas are cordoned off at the start of each working day. Blackpool Council has said that marshals are present on the beach while work is underway to advise members of the public.

Two sets of steps can be used to leave the beach if required:

• Steps opposite the tennis courts at Anchorsholme Park.
• Steps opposite Chatteris Place, at the end of Anchorsholme Lane West.

Beach users are reminded to follow safety signage, check tide times and allow plenty of time to return up the beach and onto the promenade as the tide comes in.

Work on the Anchorsholme Coast Protection Scheme began in May, with the project designed to protect more than 5,000 properties from coastal erosion and flooding.

As part of the scheme, rock armour is being added to the revetment to stabilise the structure and provide improved flood protection. The beach access steps are also being modified to accommodate the additional thickness of the rock armour.

Next year, work is due to begin on the construction of five rock groynes on the beach. The groynes will trap sand and raise beach levels, providing improved flood protection and helping to protect the coastline from erosion.

The scheme includes improvements to the sea defences at Anchorsholme, with the council allocated £11 million by the Environment Agency to construct the rock groynes on the beach. A rock revetment will also be built to provide a long-term solution to movement and damage affecting the existing concrete defences.