Cleveleys Sea Defence Works
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January 2007
Landmark safety milestone achieved on prestigious coast protection scheme

The Birse Coastal team constructing phases 2 & 3 of the Cleveleys Coast Protection scheme have achieved a   landmark safety milestone – 200,000 man hours worked without time loss or reportable accident.

The £19m Cleveleys scheme is a partnership between Birse Coastal, customer Wyre Borough Council and designers Faber Maunsell and involves construction of 1.1km of new coastal defences.  The defences include the import and placement of 10,000 tonnes of armourstone, 150,000 tonnes of fill material and manufacture and placement of 1000 interlocking precast concrete revetment units, each weighing 16 tonnes.

Commenting on his team's outstanding performance and safety record, operations director Andrew Mason stated ‘Having a truly integrated client, contractor and subcontractor team, with each of its members focused on achieving the highest levels of site safety and best practice has resulted in such a great achievement. Experience and a real understanding of the risks associated with working in the coastal environment are also key reasons for the ongoing success of this project.’ The scheme commenced in November 2005, after a 10 month Early Contractor Involvement period and is due for completion in December 2007.

 

March 2007 - Opening ceremony for new-look Cleveleys seafront

THE Mayor of Wyre, Councillor Peter Hawley, is set to open the latest developments on Cleveleys seafront on Friday, 16 March.

The section between Carr Gate and Beach Road is now complete apart from the café area at the Rossall end which will be finished during the summer.

Wyre’s Principal Engineer, Carl Green, said: “I think that the new look North Promenade is a big improvement on the old one and we hope that it will be enjoyed by both local residents and visitors alike.”

The seafront project has two aims. The first is to replace ageing sea defences with new structures which will remain effective for at least 50 years. The second is to give the Promenade a 21st century look.

The first new line of defence against the sea is a barrier of step-shaped concrete blocks called a revetment. It contains 3,600 individual units made from concrete mixed to a special formula and cast at the Hillhouse industrial site in Thornton and transported to the scene by road. Behind that is a new middle and rear wall, also made in concrete sections at Hillhouse.

Carl said: “The installation has been tested in severe storm conditions and performed exactly as we had planned. It was very effective.”

The new promenade is twice as wide as it once was with very modern lighting, seats and shelters – they even have heated seats. Blue glass is used in the floor covering and replicated in other parts of the Promenade. Some of the concrete carries a wave pattern design which is replicated in the soil beds that line the roadway side of the promenade. They will be home to a variety of shrubs and plants and to grass which has been cultivated on mats to fit into the area. The growing has been done by the experts at the council’s own Ashdell Nursery in Thornton.

Now, work is underway on the stretch between Beach Road and Victoria Road West. It should be complete early in 2008 and will include a large and elegant public piazza at the top of Victoria Road.

The Cleveleys work has a price tag of £20 million which is government financed. The next chapter in the never-ending battle with the sea is likely to cost more like £30 million. It will see a reconstruction of sea defences in Fleetwood between the junction of Westway and Fairway ( the former Rossall Hospital site) and the junction of Chatsworth Avenue with Fairway.

 

March 2007 - Wyre shares accolade for high standards at Cleveleys seafront

THE £20million facelift of Cleveleys sea defences and promenade by Wyre Borough Council and Birse Civils has been handed a prestigious accolade.

The project received a Silver Award under the Considerate Constructors Scheme which means it is one of the top two per cent of construction sites in the country.

The Considerate Constructors scheme covers three main areas: reducing the impact of the work on the environment as much as possible, providing good facilities for employees and doing all possible to reduce the negative impact on the general public.

The scheme is a national one and the north west awards were handed out at a ceremony in Crewe.

Among those present was Robert Posner, Head of Engineering Services at Wyre.

He said: " This is a real accolade and recognition of our efforts. Right from the beginning of the project we have sought to involve the public in many ways from consulting over the design to providing a very popular viewing gallery for the actual work."

He said that re-cycling of redundant materials had reduced vehicle visits to the site.

Mr Posner said:" A scheme like this is bound to have an impact on the community but Birse are doing a very good job and we are doing all we can to keep that impact down as much as possible."

Birse has also achieved a very good safety record on the Cleveleys project.

Birse Operations Director at Cleveleys Andy Mason said: " It is a real honour to receive this award and show that we are going the extra mile."

He added: " Who knows, next year we might achieve the ultimate award - gold status."
 

The Mayor of Wyre, Councillor Peter Hawley (right) with members of the Management Team with the Considerate Constructors Scheme silver award.

From left: Rob Posner (WBC Head of Service), Dave Fazakerley (Birse Site Agent). Andrew Mason (Birse Project Manager), Carl Green (WBC Project Manager), Councillor Peter Hawley (WBC Mayor)

 

Certificate  Words

 

 

 

The Cleveleys Coastal Defence Scheme
wins another industry accolade.

On Friday 18 May at the North West Regional Construction Awards 2007 in Manchester, the Cleveleys Coastal Defence Scheme was awarded the Lancashire Best Practice Award for the best construction project within Lancashire.

The project will now go forward to the national Constructing Excellence awards which are held in July.

The award is a reflection of the hard work and effort undertaken by all of the project team during the design and construction of the Cleveleys scheme to date.

Further details can be viewed at the Consulting Excellence website


Rob Posner, Head of Neighbourhood Services for Wyre BC, shows off the Lancashire Best Practice Award at the NW Regional Construction Awards.

 

July 2007
300,000 hours safety milestone passed.

Birse Coastal workers on the Cleveleys sea defence scheme recently reached a new safety milestone, passing 300,000 man hours without time loss or reportable accident.

Operations Director Andrew Mason praised the achievement of the site team in reaching the milestone claiming it as “ A great team achievement in such a harsh working environment.” He added that this was “A credit to all team members; may this success continue until the completion of the works”

The two-year long £20 million scheme to update the sea defences and promenade facilities at Cleveleys is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Birse Coastal Operations Manager, Andrew Mason.
“A credit to all team members; may this success continue until the completion of the works."

 

 

 

 

VIP Visitor for Wyre’s People’s Promenade

Alistair Burt MP, Shadow Minister for Local Government and Regeneration, visited Cleveleys Seafront on Wednesday 1 August, accompanied by Eric Ollerenshaw OBE. They met with officials from Wyre Borough Council and considerate contractors Birse Coastal Ltd before taking a tour of the £20 million award-winning People’s Promenade.

Councillor Russell Forsyth, Leader of Wyre Borough Council, organised the visit to the People’s Promenade.

He said: “The completed phases of The People’s Promenade have transformed the seafront and this innovative project will help to protect and enhance Cleveleys for many years to come.

We are proud of what has been achieved at the People’s Promenade and it is a very exciting time for this popular seaside town. This regeneration project has attracted more visitors to the area which will ultimately help to boost the local economy.”

The £20 million integrated sea defence and promenade enhancement scheme has provided a bold, futuristic new look. The new promenade is now twice as wide as it once was and incorporates landmark features - such as bespoke heated seating - designed to improve the visitor experience.

The project has been financed by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Environment Agency and the Northwest Development Agency.

Alistair Burt MP (centre) with Councillor Russell Forsyth (right) and Andrew Mason, Birse Director, inspects the new sea defences at Cleveleys

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cleveleys scheme shortlisted for further award

The Cleveleys Sea Defence Works scheme has been included among the finalists for this year's Prime Minister's Better Public Award. The award is a special category within the British Construction Industry Awards, sponsored jointly by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment and the Office of Government Commerce.

Inclusion in the shortlist is a very significant achievement. The Cleveleys coast protection scheme was one of 117 entries for the award this year.

In selecting the shortlist the judges looked for the highest standards of design, construction, financial management, procurement and environmental sustainability. They described the project as a striking response to an increasingly common problem.

The winner of the Prime Minister's Better Public Building Award will be announced by James Purnell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, on 10 October 2007.

Photo of James Purnell James Purnell MP,
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

British Construction Industry Awards 2007
Cleveleys scheme misses out on top honour - but gets commendation

Cleveleys' new look seafront has scooped a national honour after being highly commended in a major awards ceremony in London.

The £20m project to redevelop the North Promenade, giving improved flood protection and a stunning 21st century seafront view, had been shortlisted for five different awards at the prestigious Building Construction Industry Awards in London. This included a nomination for the ceremony's top award, the key Prime Minister's Better Public Building Award.

At the ceremony, held at the Grosvenor Hotel, the council received a High Commendation in the Best Practice Award, one of only three high commendations given out for all of the awards.

Work began to transform the Cleveleys seafront in November 2005 with the first phase completed in March 2007 - this has introduced innovative new sea defence structures to the promenade which have already won industry awards for design and construction. In addition the new look promenade is now twice as wide as its predecessor.

Stage two of the project started last winter and will include further improvements to sea defences as as well as extensive redevelopment of the recreational area close to Victoria Road West - to include new picnic areas and seating.

Robert Posner, Wyre Borough Council's Head of Neighbourhood Services, said: "For us the commendation is a recognition of how successful the scheme at Cleveleys has been so far, particularly as it was nominated in so many different categories.

"The British Construction Industry awards are extremely prestigious and are regarded as the "Oscars" for the construction industry. Our achievements have therefore received the highest level of recognition.

"What is also encouraging is that the project has still to be finished - we are thus hopeful that when it is completed next year we will have a chance of doing even better in the awards then."

Cleveleys scheme scoops another top award

BEST in BRITAIN - that's the verdict on the new-look North Promenade and sea defences at Cleveleys.

The £20 million project was entered for the Regional Monitor Excellence Awards 2007 which aim to celebrate the very best in local innovation and best practice around the UK.

Members of Parliament studied the short list and decided that the Cleveleys scheme should have the Urban Renewal Award for the project judged to have done the most in the last year to regenerate an urban environment or community.

Rob Posner, Head of Neighbourhood Services at Wyre, was at the presentation evening at the headquarters of the Institution of Civil Engineers in London to receive the trophy.

 

Then it was handed over to the Mayor of Wyre, Councillor Keith Riley at a meeting of the full council and will be displayed in the Civic Centre at Poulton.

Living Places Portfolio Holder Councillor Vivien Taylor handed the trophy to the Mayor and commented: " This is a further example of the excellent work by this council and by Birse Coastal. It shows yet again what a great scheme this is."

This award is the latest in a list of accolades which have been handed out for high standards achieved at Cleveleys.

Councillor Peter Hawley, who has been involved with the Cleveleys project from the start, said: " I would like to thank Wyre's engineering staff under the guidance of Mr Rob Posner and our partners in this Birse Coastal, the contractors. And we should not forget Defra and the North West Development Agency for providing the finance."

Further details available at  http://www.dodsparlicom.com/awards/

Cleveleys scheme shortlisted for Local Government award

The Cleveleys scheme has been shortlisted in the LGC national awards for Local Government 2008.

The awards, sponsored by the Local Government Chronicle magazine, give local authorities the chance to compete for the top prize in a number of categories.

Wyre Borough Council has been nominated for the Local Government Public/Private Partnership Award
for their work with Birse Coastal on the Cleveleys scheme.

The awards are due to be decided in March 2008

Further details about the scheme can be found at www.lgcawards.com

Cleveleys scheme nominated for ICE award

The first phase of the Cleveleys sea defence works, opened in March 2007, has been nominated a top award in the Institution of Civil Engineers North West Awards 2008.

One of thirteen nominees, the scheme has been nominated for the 2008 Merit Award which recognises and encourages excellence and imaginative  concepts in civil engineering practice in the ICE North West Region.

The awards will be presented by ICE President David Orr at the 81st Annual Awards Dinner in Liverpool on 8 February 2008

Further details can be viewed at the ICE Merit Awards web-site

Details of all nominees

 

 

Opening Date for New Promenade Announced

Illustration - Photograph of Councillor Keith RileyThe Mayor of Wyre Borough Council, Councillor Keith Riley, is set to officially open the new sea defence and promenade improvement works at Cleveleys on Saturday 19 April 2008. The latest section of the works extends south from Beach Road to the junction of South Promenade and Victoria Road West and concludes the £20million works currently under construction by Birse Coastal.

The opening will be followed by a day of music and dance courtesy of the Cleveleys Seafront Partnership. All are welcome to attend.

His Worshipful the Mayor,
 Councillor Keith Riley

Stricken ferry 'Riverdance' on Cleveleys beach.

During the evening of Thursday 31 January the 6,000 tonne Sea Trucks ferry ‘Riverdance’ ran aground on Cleveleys beach 500m south of the new sea defence works during high wind and heavy seas.

Cargo from the heavily listing vessel, including bags of peat, chocolate biscuits, timber and polystyrene insulation boards, has been washed up on the beach in front of the works.

Officers from Wyre Borough Council and Birse Coastal have been liaising with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in monitoring the condition of the vessel in case oil from the ferry's fuel bunkers leaks in the sea.

Coastguards are advising members of the public who plan to visit the site to view it from a safe distance on the promenade and not to venture down onto the beach.

For a live view of the Riverdance go to here  and click on camera C3

Cleveleys scheme set to open to the public

The final finishing touches are currently being made to the promenade construction works ahead of the official opening to the public in April.

The works are planned to be completed by the beginning of March at which time the new-look promenade and sea defence will be opened up to the public .

The official opening on Saturday 19 April will be carried out by Wyre mayor Keith Riley following which a day of public and entertainment has been organised by the Cleveleys Seafront Partnership

 

 

Cleveleys scheme to open for Easter holidays

Phase 3 of the Cleveleys works, covering the stretch of North Promenade from Beach Road to Victoria Road West, is to be opened to the public ahead of the Easter holiday weekend.

The seafront works have cost £20 million, much of this being provided by the government and through European funding.

Councillor Russell Forsyth, Leader of Wyre Borough Council said, "The transformation at Cleveleys is astonishing. It is a credit to everyone and anyone who has anything to do with its successful outcome. It has become one of the major attractions in Wyre."

The official opening on Saturday 19 April will be carried out by Wyre mayor Keith Riley following which a day of public and entertainment has been organised by the Cleveleys Seafront Partnership

Latest phase of Cleveleys works opens to Public

The latest phase of the Cleveleys works, covering the stretch of North Promenade from Beach Road to Victoria Road West, was opened to the public ahead of the Easter holiday weekend.

The seafront works have cost £20 million, much of this being provided by the government and through European funding.

The official opening on Saturday 19 April will be carried out by Wyre mayor Keith Riley, following which a day of public entertainment has been organised by the Cleveleys Seafront Partnership.
 

The new Plaza area at the head of Victoria Road West

 

Wyre Mayor opens 'People's Promenade'

 

 

On Saturday 19 April the Mayor of Wyre Borough Council, Councillor Keith Riley, officially opened the latest phase of the construction works.

 

The Radio Wave roadshow kicked off the festivities before comedian Frank Carson warmed up the growing crowd ahead of the opening ceremony.

 

Addressing the crowd of local residents and invited dignitaries Councillor Riley praised all those involved in the design and construction of the works, and thanked the official bodies, including Defra and the North West Development Agency who had provided the funds for the scheme.   

 

 Following the opening ceremony, those attending were treated to a day of music and dance from local musicians, entertainers and celebrities courtesy of the Cleveleys Seafront Partnership, a group of local business leaders and residents dedicated to revitalising Cleveleys.

 

Chairman of the Partnership, Mr Peter Wills, hailed the day as a great success for the people of Cleveleys.

Phase 4 of the works begin
Piling works on Cleveleys beach

 

 

Work on the latest phase of the Cleveleys sea defence and promenade improvement works began this week when the first of the sheet steel toe piles were driven into the beach.

 

Phase 4 of the works was originally planned to begin in 2012 but was brought forward following the success of the earlier phases which have been well received by the public and have been awarded a number of construction industry accolades.

 

While initial works have begun on the beach, production of the precast concrete units that will make up the main part of the new phase of works has continued at the Thornton precast yard.


The main construction works are expected to commence in late summer after analysis of site investigation data has been undertaken. Construction is expected to continue until summer 2009.