Cleveleys Sea Defence Works
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Site News

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.

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 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

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.