THE first significant signs of work on Rhyl’s multi-million-pound flood defence programme are now visible.
Work is under way on the £10.6m West Rhyl Coastal Defence Scheme with 97 huge steel sheet piles being driven into the harbour wall.
The scheme, which is expected to be completed by summer 2013, has received funding from the European Development Fund and Welsh Assembly Government.
It will use 70,000 tonnes of rock and is required to address problems of potential flooding caused by breach of existing defences and to take account of sea level rise associated with climate change.
The work is being done to protect 2,100 homes and 500 businesses in West Rhyl at risk from flooding.
Improvements will include the refurbishment of the existing 800m River Clwyd training wall and encasing with rock armour, stabilisation and refurbishment of the existing harbour wall, the introduction of a stepped barricade to protect from breaches and the creation of a new promenade.
Existing defences, some of which date back 110 years, are according to experts showing signs of fatigue.
The work has angered some nearby residents who say that with sections of West Parade being sealed off and subject to diversions, their streets will become ‘rat runs’ for motorists.