Balfour Beatty set to protect communities in Wales through coastal defence contracts valued at c.£97 million

Balfour Beatty today announces its appointment to deliver two coastal defence schemes valued at a combined c.£97 million on behalf of Denbighshire County Council. The schemes have been awarded through the SCAPE Civil Engineering framework.

The Central Rhyl Coastal Defence scheme will see Balfour Beatty replace over 600 metres of original sea walls and construct a new rock armour defence in Rhyl, whilst the Central Prestatyn Coastal Defence scheme will see the company create a new coastal erosion embankment spanning 1,600 metres along the coastline in Prestatyn.

The two schemes, which are valued at c.£69 million and c.£28 million respectively, will protect over 2,500 local homes, businesses and the tourist economy in Denbighshire from flooding and coastal erosion.

To support the bold targets and ambitions set out in its sustainability strategy, Building New Futures, Balfour Beatty will also create new habitats for several protected species by providing new scrubland for badgers and other small animals and utilising a diverse grass and wildflower seeding mix across the coastal embankment to encourage foraging birds.

In addition, and as part of its commitment to leaving a lasting positive legacy for the communities in which it operates, 40% of Balfour Beatty’s workforce will be made up of people from the local, surrounding area.

Peter Mumford, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s UK Construction Regional Civils business, said: “We are delighted to continue our relationship with Denbighshire County Council following the successful completion of the East Rhyl Coastal Defence scheme last year.

“As the climate continues to change at pace, we will draw on our extensive experience and expertise to deliver these schemes to the highest standard and protect local communities in the area.”

Mark Robinson, group chief executive at SCAPE, said: “We are proud to be working with our partner, Balfour Beatty to accelerate these two projects forward and provide much-needed protection to the residents of Rhyl and Prestatyn.

“Through the SCAPE Civil Engineering Framework, we will work in close collaboration with Balfour Beatty to help them reach their net zero ambitions, while also unlocking social value. In doing so, we can guarantee that both schemes will enrich the local communities and leave a positive lasting legacy for many years to come."

Councillor Barry Mellor of Denbighshire County Council said, “As Lead Member for Highways Transport and the Environment, it’s a pleasure to have Balfour Beatty working with us again on these two new sea defences that will protect over 2,500 properties and businesses for many years into the future.

“Living on the East Ward of Rhyl where we had the devastating floods in 2015, it is pleasing to stop and talk to residents who are so grateful to both Denbighshire County Council and Welsh Government, and of course Balfour Beatty, as they say they can now sleep peacefully at night with the flooding worries taken away.

“It is also gratifying that Balfour Beatty are employing 40% of the local workforce and 22 apprentices.  In addition, it is very encouraging that Balfour Beatty has climate and ecological change at the forefront of any work they will be carrying out.”

Works on both schemes are due to commence later this month, with completion of the Central Rhyl Coastal Defence Scheme expected in 2025 and the Central Prestatyn Costal Defence Scheme the following year.  At construction peak, the schemes will employ a workforce of 120, including 22 apprenticeship, graduate, and trainee positions.

ENDS

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Notes to editors:

• Balfour Beatty is a leading international infrastructure group with over 24,500 employees driving the delivery of powerful new solutions, shaping thinking, creating skylines and inspiring a new generation of talent to be the change-makers of tomorrow.
• We finance, develop, build, maintain and operate the increasingly complex and critical infrastructure that supports national economies and deliver projects at the heart of local communities.
• Over the last 114 years we have created iconic buildings and infrastructure all over the world. Currently, we are working to deliver Hinkley Point C, the first UK nuclear power station in a generation; constructing the world-class arts and cultural facility, the Lyric Theatre, in Hong Kong; and designing, building, financing, operating and maintaining the Automated People Mover superstructure at the fifth busiest airport in the world, Los Angeles International Airport.
• Balfour Beatty’s UK Construction Services business is underpinned by three distinct business units and three leading experts in their disciplines: Regional Civils, Regional Buildings and Regional Scotland. 
• Our Regional Civils business unit focuses on providing essential infrastructure such as transportation and flood defences whilst our Regional Buildings business unit focuses on the construction of integral buildings including hospitals and schools. 

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