More than 20,000 tonnes of shingle set to be used to bolster flood defences for sea-threatened North Wales village

More work starts next week to help protect flood defences for a sea-threatened coastal village in North Wales.

Contractors for Natural Resources Wales (NRW) will move 20,000 tonnes of shingle on Fairbourne beach to fill in an eroded area in front of the village.

The shingle bank is the initial breakwater from the tide. It protects the concrete wall which is Fairbourne’s sea defence.

The sea defences will stop being maintained in the 2050s, meaning the village is likely to be “decommissioned” and residents will be moved out.

However, in the short term, NRW has pledged to continue reducing the flood risk to the area.

The latest work will take around six weeks to complete, depending on the weather, and will be undertaken by McCarthy’s Contractors Ltd in a way that adheres to the government’s current guidelines on social distancing.

An excavator and dumper truck will collect and move the shingle one kilometre down the beach, from where there are large deposits, to where it is needed.

The work will be done in a way that minimises the impact on the internationally important natural features of the Pen Llyn a’r Sarnau Special Area of Conservation.

With advice from CADW, care wil be taken not to impact the Second World War tank traps on the beach.

Dylan Williams, NRW Operations Manager in North West Wales said: “Defending Fairbourne is a challenge – we work against nature to try to reduce the risks at a time when the climate is changing and sea levels are rising.

“We are committed to maintaining and monitoring the flood defence in the short and medium term to reduce the risk of flooding for the people of Fairbourne.

“Replenishing the shingle following the winter storms is part of this ongoing commitment.

“We will continue to monitor how the sea defence performs as part of our ongoing maintenance programme.

“We are very grateful to the local community for their support and cooperation.”