A monumental coastal defence scheme is set to get underway in Conwy at the end of the month, causing the closure of a Welsh beach for several months. This project, costing millions of pounds, will involve transporting around 80,000 tonnes of rock from quarries in North Wales for the works between Towyn and Kinmel Bay. The rocks will be used to bolster an existing revetment between the two communities and elevate a sea wall by 50cm-75cm to withstand projected sea level rises and increased storminess.
Jones Bros, the contractor, will start setting up a compound on the promenade car park on September 30, with construction work commencing two weeks later. The entire scheme is estimated to be completed by spring 2026. Throughout the construction period, the beach will be inaccessible, with certain areas remaining off-limits. The closure is deemed necessary for safety purposes, and the beach will gradually reopen in phases.
Efforts will be made to keep disruption to a minimum during the project, including scheduling HGV deliveries strictly during working hours to reduce inconvenience. The coastal pathway may experience some diversions or occasional closures, but the aim is to maintain access as much as possible. A public drop-in session to provide details about the work will be held at the Towyn and Kinmel Bay Town Council Community Resource Centre on September 13.
The contractor plans to progress the work from west to east, starting near Golden Sands Holiday Park and finishing by Sunnyvale Holiday Park. Along with enhancing coastal defences, the project includes plans for public spaces, beach access improvements, safety enhancements like a new crossing point, and initiatives to promote cycling such as cycle maintenance stations and e-bike charging points.
The scheme, with a total cost of £13 million, will also introduce amenities like new “parklets”, upgraded car parks, a new toilet block, and various street furniture for public enjoyment. The majority of the funding for the project has been secured from the Welsh Government’s Coastal Risk Management Programme. The closure of the beach and ensuing transformation aim to safeguard 1,650 properties and vital infrastructure in Kinmel Bay and Towyn from flooding for the next century.