Plans have been submitted to Gwynedd council for the construction of improved flood defences in the Hirael area of Bangor.

 

The existing coastal defences at Hirael are limited with the only formal defences in the area being a sea wall which in various states of disrepair, a revetment and gabion baskets at the coastal frontage, north east of Beach Road. Currently, there are no other structures that manage wave overtopping and inundation. Temporary flood barriers such as sandbags have been deployed in the past along the length of the sea wall and two slipways to deal with high tides and wave surges but are not a sufficient source of long-term flood protection.

The current proposal is to replace the existing sea wall with additional improvements. The Hirael area of Bangor has historically been known to be prone to flooding. In 2008 a scheme to reduce the risk of flooding by increasing the capacity, repairing and replacing large sections of the Afon Adda culvert was completed. The current scheme would work alongside the culvert to reduce the risk of flooding from tidal and storm events.

The occurrence of coastal flooding is expected to increase in future years in response to climate change and sea level rise. In addition, the current sea wall is in a poor state of repair and will require significant investment in coming years.

The proposed flood defence improvement works at Hirael is split into four key sections:

  1. Flood defence improvements, re-alignment and improvements to the cycle path and reconstruction of slipway at the Beach Road East section;
  2. Main promenade frontage sea wall improvements
  3. 50m (approx.) section of new embankment and multiuser path behind the Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water pumping station
  4. Glandŵr Road flood protection improvements.

Construction

The contract for the construction of the proposed works is anticipated to be awarded before March 2022 with completion of the construction works anticipated before the end of March 2023. Full construction programme details will be available on the appointing of contractor.

For more information about the scheme visit: https://hirael.ygc.cymru/