Prestatyn coastal defences completed early and under budget

The Central Prestatyn Coastal Defences Scheme was not due to be finished until the end of 2025, but a small completion ceremony was held today (June 19), and was attended by Deputy First Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies MS.
A plaque was also unveiled to mark the completion of the project, which includes a new embankment to store storm surge waters and reduce the risk of them reaching Prestatyn's town centre.
The Deputy First Minister said the flood defences will be a 'huge benefit' to residents of Prestatyn.
He added: 'I'm delighted to be here today, to officially open this amazing coastal protection scheme.
'It's a massive piece of work from Balfour Beatty and Denbighshire County Council, and funded by over £22million of Welsh Government money.
'This is the sort of work we're doing now to tackle climate change and protect these homes and businesses, and to make a beautiful esplanade along the front for tourists to enjoy, as well.
'It's a great piece of work.'
Huw Irranca-Davies next to the plaque marking the project's completion. (Image: Newsquest) Balfour Beatty delivered the scheme on behalf of Denbighshire County Council.
Additional protective measures include new rock armour at the western end of the scheme, providing erosion protection around the slipway, along with improvements to existing culverts and construction of two new outfall structures.
Welsh Government provided 85 per cent (£22.2 million) of the construction funding through its Coastal Risk Management Programme (CRMP).
Denbighshire County Council contributed the remaining 15 per cent, while Welsh Government also fully funded the £1.75m development phase.
Cllr Jason McLellan (L), leader of Denbighshire County Council, also attended today's event (Image: Newsquest) Cllr Jason McLellan, Denbighshire County Council leader, attended today's event, and said: 'I want to say thanks to Balfour Beatty. This project has been delivered ahead of time and under budget, and we rarely say that about a big infrastructure project like this.
'I'm here as council leader, but the ward I also represent (Prestatyn North) is literally next door, and I think the community engagement here has been excellent.
'There have been some concerns and push-backs from residents as you would expect, but Balfour Beatty and the team have dealt with them brilliantly.'
Huw Irranca-Davies with some of the Balfour Beatty staff who worked on the scheme (Image: Newsquest) Cllr Barry Mellor, the council's lead member for environment and transport, also attended today's completion ceremony, and said: 'Having witnessed the devastating effects of the coastal flooding which hit Rhyl on December 5, 2013, this work is particularly close to my heart.
'The council opened Rhyl Leisure Centre at that time as an evacuation centre due to the severe flooding, and the sight of my residents coming in soaking wet clinging to their loved animals will never leave me.
'I still have residents coming up to me to this day saying how grateful they are as they now can sleep at night without having to worry about their homes flooding.
'So, I'm so pleased to see the completion of this part of the project which will now give peace of mind to the residents of Prestatyn.'
The scheme could protect up to 2,700 Prestatyn homes from flooding (Image: Newsquest) As well as protecting the area from flooding, the work created eight new jobs and more than 190 days of work experience was provided for people.
The Central Rhyl Coastal Defences Scheme, meanwhile, is set for completion in August or September.

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