Prom plans begin to surface
Final touches to the first phase of a multi-million pound project to replace Morecambe’s wave reflection wall are due to start on Tuesday April 18.
Work to replace the wall between Lord Street and Happy Mount Park is now largely complete, with the last stage of phase one being to resurface this stretch of the promenade.
Scheduled to take three weeks, it will see the removal of the existing tarmac and its replacement with a new ‘buff’ coloured surface to complement the new wall.
More than 800 tonnes of new tarmac will be poured along the 1.1 mile stretch of promenade, along with a 750 tonne base layer to provide a firm foundation.
Such is the scale of the project, Lancaster City Council and its contractors, VBA, will effectively take over a tarmac plant for the duration of the resurfacing.
This is to ensure that it can be thoroughly cleaned of the typical black tarmac used for roads so it does not spoil the colour being used for the promenade, and to provide the quantities needed to complete the work.
Although three weeks has been set aside to lay the tarmac, the work is weather dependent and timescales could therefore change depending on the conditions.
As a result the entire stretch of promenade will be closed from April 18, with signed diversions in place for pedestrians and cyclists, so the work can take place as and when the weather allows.
Following the laying of the surfacing, new seating will be installed. Work is also starting soon to replace the old play area opposite the town hall that has been used as the base for construction offices and materials.
Andrew Dobson, chief officer (regeneration and planning), said: “The repair and replacement of the wave reflection wall is a vitally important project for Morecambe and will protect 13,000 properties from flooding.
“It will provide the highest practical level of flood protection whilst ensuring the promenade continues to reflect the beauty of the Bay, and a vital part of ensuring that is the new surfacing.
“We’re now at a critical stage of phase one and closure of the promenade is necessary for this important work to take place. We’ve timed it for after the Easter break to effect as few people as possible and hope people will bear with us because the new surfacing will perfectly complement the seafront.”
With the end of phase one in sight, preparations are taking place for the replacement and repair of the remainder of the wave reflection wall.
A planning application has been submitted for phase two (Midland Hotel and Regent Road) which, much like the first stage of the project, will see a full replacement of a 750 metre section of the existing wall.
Subject to planning permission, this phase is due to start in September 2017 and will run until spring 2019.
Phase three will concentrate on the length of wall between Regent Road and Oakley Road. Because the 1,400 metre long existing wall has not deteriorated as badly as other sections, it can be repaired rather than having to be replaced. Work is due to start in April.
For more information on the project, and a link to the planning application for phases two and three, visit our project information page.
Last updated: 24 March 2017