Jones Bros begins €4.8m coastal defence works in Wales

Civil engineering contractor Jones Bros Civil Engineering has begun a £4 million (€4.8 million) of coastal defence works in Wales.

Extensive rock armour installation, sea wall upgrades and improvements to the promenade infrastructure are included in the works at Old Colwyn, in the north.

The works are part of a wider coastal improvement programme designed to strengthen a vulnerable stretch of shoreline against severe weather and coastal flooding.

Up to 14,000 tonnes of rock armour will be installed along 100 metres of coastline to reinforce existing defences and reduce the risk of erosion and structural failure. The material will be sourced from quarries across North Wales where possible, supporting the regional supply chain.

A further 160 metres of the existing sea wall and promenade will be raised by 1.5 metres, for additional protection against overtopping and flood damage.

“This project represents another significant and exciting piece of the jigsaw in the transformation of our coastline,” said councillor Mike Priestley, cabinet member for Environment, Roads & Infrastructure.

“These improvements are about far more than coastal defence. They form part of a wider regeneration vision that will help protect vital infrastructure, improve accessibility, enhance the promenade experience, and ensure this stretch of coast can be enjoyed safely for generations to come.”

The works also include the demolition and replacement of existing access points, with new perpendicular stairways and crossover steps to improve access along the seafront. An extension to an existing outfall will also form part of the engineering package.

The scheme addresses significant weaknesses in Old Colwyn’s ageing coastal defences, which have become increasingly vulnerable during severe storms. The promenade acts as an important protective barrier for critical transport infrastructure but water regularly breaches the existing sea wall and forces the promenade to be closed.

The works are due to finish late 2027.