A new beach consisting of one million tonnes of imported sand has been created in north Wales, with locals even comparing it to the French Riviera. Work has been taking place in Rhos on Sea for two months, as pumps have driven sand-laden seawater towards the town’s sea wall.
The result has been the steady building of a beach 16ft higher than the one that existed previously and was always covered by high tide. This new beach is part of a £20 million sea defence that's funded by the Welsh Government Coast Risk Management Programme, which also includes controversial plans to introduce a one-way system on Rhos on Sea's promenade, North Wales Live reports.
Just three machinery workers laid the beach, which has been made up of one million tonnes of sand, sucked from a dredging site in Liverpool Bay. The site was picked due to its sand having a similar grading to that at Rhos on Sea. The sand and seawater mix was then sent along a 1km pipe from a dredger moored offshore to the emerging beach.
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The imported beach is designed to become the main sea defence along this section of coast and will protect both the seawall and the properties that sit behind it. Locals appear to be happy with the new beach, with one even saying: “It looks like the French Riviera! But Welsh!” Another said that it was a "better beach than when [they were] a child some 70 years ago. Possibly now the best in north Wales.”
Part of the re-laid beach re-opened on August 10, and pumping has now finished on the final section, which according to Conwy Council will be opened up in phases over the coming weeks as work on outfalls and a rock groyne is completed. However, not everyone is in favour of the new beach, with some residents expressing scepticism towards the strength of sand as a bulwark against winter storms and strong tides.
One person said: "Sand moves, unfortunately. It's just a tidal thing that can’t be stopped. Enjoy it while it’s there!" However, a stepped beach area and enhanced fishtail rock groyne have been designed to prevent this happening. Others have suggested that the new beach is a frivolous expenditure.
"Utter waste of council taxpayers money!” one resident said. “Year on year council tax goes up to fund idiotic schemes like pumping sand onto a beach that will eventually naturally be taken back out to sea.” Similar work is also planned for Conwy's coastline, with the second phase of protection work beginning on Llanfairfechan seafront on September 5.
The four week project, which will see rock armour extended at The Cob, is set to finish on October 1. The coastal path will be diverted at The Cob during this time and will include some steps.
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