Case study: Blackpool

Blackpool Borough Council is halfway through a massive £60 million scheme to rebuild more than two miles of seawall along the seafront. Five years ago it rebuilt a mile of adjoining wall to the south.

Defra wholly or partly funded both schemes and Antony Hill, the council's Principal Engineer, and his team liaised with its regional office in York. But in future they'll work with our area Flood Risk Management team in nearby Preston, now that Defra has put us in charge of the coast.

The importance of getting coastal flood and erosion risk management right is vital for resorts like Blackpool. Its seafront is a top attraction for visitors and the holiday industry is the main breadwinner.

Before rebuilding the seawall started 20 years ago, erosion was a constant headache for the council. 'We would lose properties to the sea if we didn't do the work,' says Antony.

Sea defences were also regularly overtopped by storms. The resulting floods not only hit homes and businesses, but also meant traffic had to be diverted away from the main north-south route along the seafront.