Anchorsholme Coast Protection Scheme 2026

Anchorsholme Coast Protection Scheme begins the early stages in 2026, with site works for a vital sea defence project now underway. Work started on 26 January 2026, beginning with the establishment of construction compounds.

Anchorsholme Coast Protection Scheme 2026

The scheme will protect over 5,000 properties from coastal erosion and flooding, ensuring that homes and businesses remain safeguarded for years to come.

Five rock groynes will be constructed on the beach at Anchorsholme, along with a rock revetment installed on top of the existing sloped seawall. The rock revetment will strengthen and stabilise the seawall, with the rocks helping to reduce wave force during storms.

The rock groynes will help address the ongoing lowering of sand levels on the beach (below). At times, this has led to the underlying clay becoming exposed. Once this erodes, the beach is lost forever. The groynes will trap sand and raise beach levels, absorbing wave energy and reducing the risk of flooding.

The Environment Agency is fully funding the £11 million construction of the rock groynes. The cost of the rock revetment is being covered by contractors Balfour Beatty to address issues from previous coastal defence works.

Once the compound is complete, work on the beach and revetment is scheduled to begin, in May 2026.

Preserving the Beach

Cllr Jane Hugo, Blackpool Council Cabinet Member for Climate Change, said:

“This scheme is vital for protecting the community from flooding and for preserving the beach at Anchorsholme for future generations.

“With the climate change emergency, rising sea levels and reduced sand levels are inevitable unless we do something. If we do nothing, then the risks of sea water flooding properties are higher, which is simply not an option for this council.”

“The project team has worked with the local community to develop a design for the hoardings facing people’s properties. While we understand the works will cause some inconvenience to nearby residents, if this work does not happen, the community is at direct risk from coastal flooding.

To enable access and utility works, Princes Way will be closed from 27 January to 28 February 2026 at the junction with Queen’s Promenade, with the closure extending just past the existing compound. The rest of Princes Way will remain open at Kingsway and Anchorsholme Lane West, with a signed diversion in place.

Some on-street parking on Princes Way will be unavailable. Pedestrian access will remain open. A section of Cycle Route 62 will close periodically, with diversions provided.

For the latest updates and more information, visit www.blackpool.gov.uk/Anchorsholme