February 2011
The Blackpool Central Area Coast Protection Scheme has won large project of the year at the North West Civil Engineering awards. The event celebrates the collective and individual achievements of civil engineers and civil engineering in the North West.
ICE North West regional chairman Phillip Hardy-Bishop and ICE president Peter Hansford attended the ceremony on Friday 4 February which was held at the Chester Racecourse.
The scheme involves the construction of new coastal defences to the central tourist area of the town including; the iconic Blackpool Tower, an historic tramway, three pleasure piers, many hotels, arcades and other tourist facilities. The coastal defence project is part of a jigsaw of schemes that form a regeneration master plan for the town.
Halcrow provided support to client Blackpool Council, through the development of the Project Appraisal Report for funding from defra. Halcrow subsequently undertook the detailed design of the coastal defence elements of the scheme in advance of construction commencing in 2005.
During construction, Halcrow has continued to provide design support, and has also had several staff seconded into the client, to support their site supervision. Halcrow has worked in partnership with the selected scheme contractor, Birse Coastal and landscape architects, EDAW.
The alignment of the defence has created five large headlands which will provide space for future amenity improvement as part of the wider regeneration of the town. The shape of the new defences includes a precast stepped revetment fronting a new wave wall, with a secondary wall behind the new promenade. The final shape was chosen to provide improved protection against storm water overtopping, whilst providing an aesthetic solution. This also provided improved access for pedestrians to the beach helping achieve the master plan objective to reconnect the town with its beach.
The judges highlighted the close partnership between client and landscape architect in defining the vision. This was enhanced by early contractor involvement, enabling successful delivery of this strategic project. The judges were extremely impressed with the quality of the finished product, particularly the fact that its superior design was backed up by extensive research and further enhanced by the effective use of materials.