Weston-Super-Mare Flood Defence

Concrete Developments Limited, (CDL) was commissioned to supply over three hundred precast concrete units, each weighing 20 tonnes to Weston-Super-Mare sea front to replace outdated sea defences.

The Sea Wall at Weston was over 120 years old, and protected up to 4500 properties from high tides and storm conditions. The current protection level meant that the town was liable to flood every five years. The new defences were designed to make a flood a once in every 200 year occurrence.

The 303 concrete units supplied were designed to act as breakwaters, and steps to the main promenade. Beforehand the sea had crashed into the sea wall. To accommodate the varying topography of the site, there were 13 different units, that fitted together to form the defence. However some designs were still being changed prior to installation and CDL were able to accommodate this. This is especially important as a zero defect policy was agreed, as there was no scope for onsite repairs later.

The concrete mix was specified not to degrade when exposed to hostile marine environments. Delivery of these units was carefully co-ordinated for minimum disruption as access to the seafront is through the town. All of the client’s stipulations were achieved on what was a successful but demanding project.