Next section of Fylde sea defences set to open

The Granny's Bay section links up with those at Fairhaven Lake and to Lytham Church Scar

The opening of the stretch at Granny’s Bay, Fairhaven, comes just three weeks after that of the adjacent section of new-look defences and footpath linking Fairhaven to Church Scar as part of a £21.8m upgrade.

The Church Scar section, where access was closed for more than two years, has proved a very popular draw for walkers and cyclists since opening on May 14 and a Fylde Council spokesman said: “Following the successful opening of Church Scar and the really positive feedback, we’re aiming to have Granny’s Bay opened up early too, ready to enjoy from the weekend (June 6).”

The work to upgrade the sea defences, which started early in 2018, has been largely funded by the Environment Agency and carried out by specialists VBA.

Work on the Granny’s Bay section only started last summer after £2m extra funding was secured by Fylde Council in autumn 2018, allowing a link to the Church Scar and Fairhaven sections which were already under way.

Coun Thomas Threlfall, the Fylde Council-appointed representative for the Fairhaven and Church Scar Sea Defence project board, said at the time of the opening of the first section: “I am immensely proud of what has been achieved. Not only will this beauty spot be attractive for residents and visitors alike, but it has also significantly improved the safety of the surrounding area.”

The project replaces the sea defence walls built in the 1890s and long described as “time expired” and failing, as they had to undergo emergency repairs every year to prevent a major breach.

As well as the upgrade to the promenades from Fairhaven Lake to Lytham, the project provides new protection from coastal erosion, with more than 2,600 properties to benefit.

Coun Roger Small, the council’s operational management committee chairman, said at the announcement of the Granny’s Bay funding: “It’s fantastic that the scheme not only protects the residents’ properties, but is also going to give the public a natural looking, high quality public realm which blends into our beautiful coastline.”