£27m flooding works already need repairs

A FLOOD defence scheme costing £27m which was built to protect Blackpool’s famous seafront is in need of repair less than a year after it was completed.

The structure at Anchorsholme was officially opened in October last year and was designed to safeguard the resort’s famous tramway, reduce the flood risk for 4,800 properties and protect the town’s tourism and recreational income for the next 100 years. However, repair work is already needed on the project, which was funded by the Environment Agency through government grants.

Blackpool North and Cleveleys MP Paul Maynard, inset, said he would be calling on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to independently investigate after continuing problems were reported, adding: “Significant amounts of public money went into this scheme and I am worried it appears to deteriorating so soon after work was completed.” A spokesman for contractor Balfour Beatty confirmed the firm was aware of “some surface damage” and work is due to start next month on repairs. Blackpool Council’s cabinet member for environmental services and highways, Fred Jackson, said meetings were being held with Balfour Beatty to agree upon the repairs programme. The Environment Agency confirmed it was aware of work by the council and Balfour Beatty to “identify appropriate methods of repair”.