Child safety fears over beach's rock sea defences

Building rocky flood defences along Blackpool beach could put playing children at risk of harm, a councillor has warned.

A planning application to construct 17 rocky groynes along the resort's famous golden sands has been submitted.

The proposed £57m Blackpool Beach Management Scheme aims to protect homes and businesses from flooding. It also seeks to reduce the impact on the beach from coastal erosion.

But Councillor Gerard Walsh warned children had been trapped in the solid and tightly packed immovable rocky structures in areas where they had already been installed.

The Tory councillor added: "It is a major worry for me because children are going to be drawn to those rocky structures and will want to climb on them.

"There have been several incidents over the years where children have got an arm or leg trapped and it has been really hard to free them.

"If there weren't incoming tides involved it wouldn't be too critical but visitors - and even locals - don't always understand how quickly the sea comes in.

"What I want to know is whether there could be an alternative - a design made from wood - which would be safer."

The planning application to Blackpool Council said the groynes would be built by March 2029, south of South Pier to Cocker Square, just north of North Pier.

The application said it was acknowledged that the work could change the look and character of the beaches, but unless urgent action was taken they could be lost forever.

The beach provides the first line of defence against coastal erosion and flooding during storms.

Earlier this month, councillors were warned the resort could lose its famous golden sands unless urgent action was taken to reduce coastal erosion.

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