Porthcawl’s new promenade and flood defence work officially opened

A £6.4m scheme which will help to defend Porthcawl from flooding and any potential future rise in sea levels was officially opened earlier this week.

The work was jointly funded by Welsh Government and Bridgend County Borough Council as part of the Coastal Risk Management Programme.

Construction specialists Knights Brown have transformed the promenade area into a flat, easily accessible space with new planters and enhanced flood defences which blend into the overall design and run between Porthcawl Marina and Coney Beach.

The promenade was officially opened by Welsh Government’s Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Lee Waters MS and the Leader of Bridgend County Borough Council, Cllr Huw David.

The work also focused on the iconic Western Breakwater and extensive refurbishment was required to ensure that the 200-year-old structure can continue to stand up to the tides and tough maritime weather conditions. Around 550 tonnes of grout was used during the upgrade.

The second phase of the project extended into Sandy Bay and as far as Rhych Point, where flood defences and dune protection works were also upgraded.

Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Lee Waters said, “We’ve suffered devastating flooding and weather conditions over the past few years, which has affected communities across Wales.

“We’re helping to safeguard those areas at risk through our Coastal Risk Management Programme, and it was good to see how homes and businesses will benefit from Porthcawl’s latest flood scheme.”

It’s really pleasing to work with Welsh Government on this important scheme which will help to benefit the local community for generations to come.

This project forms a vital part of the infrastructure for defending the town against flooding and key stakeholders who continue to live, work, visit and invest in the area will be reassured by the quality of the upgrade.

Cllr John Spanswick, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and the Environment