BLACKPOOL BEACH MANAGEMENT & LITTLE BISPHAM TO BISPHAM
Key Project Details
Location: Blackpool Seafront, Blackpool
Client: Blackpool Council
Consultant: Jacobs and Atkins
Sector: Property & Construction
Contract Value: £500,000
Services: Cable Percussion Boring, Window Sampling, Dynamic Probing, CPT Probing and a GPR Utility Clearance Survey
“The Council is very grateful to CA, especially the site team, who have delivered our ground investigation project in such a professional manner. The team on site had the most difficult weather conditions to contend with, including a couple of storms, and also some technical barriers that were overcome with patience and excellent communication. I have not received any complaints in respect of the work that was carried out on site on Blackpool’s very busy yearlong coastal destination. The team has all done a great job in completing the project, but also keeping such a tidy and ordered site. Please can you send our thanks to the team, they are all a credit to CA.”
Blackpool Council’s Project Manager
In December 2023, Central Alliance (CA) were commissioned by Blackpool Council to complete a ground investigation of the coastal defences and beach. The site extends from Bispham to Blackpool South Pier, with all works completed along the seafront. The purpose of the investigation was to inform on the various design options for flood alleviation, sand retention, and the improvement of the existing sea defences. CPT operations were carried out with the additional aims of determining ground conditions of the beach, informing on the design of fishtail groin structures, and assessing the existing pier foundations.
The full scope of GI works included:
- PAS 128 survey to be completed before intrusive works
- 28 no. cable percussive boreholes to a max depth of 25 m bgl
- Variable head testing
- Installation of groundwater and gas monitoring and instrumentation inclusive of data loggers
- 30 no. window sampling boreholes to a max depth of 15 m bgl on the lower and middle seawall
- 30 no. cone penetration test (CPT) holes to a scheduled depth of 3 m bgl on the beach to investigate the toe of the existing seawall
- 108 no. CPT to a max depth of 30 m bgl with dissipation testing (located on the beach)
- 5 no. hand dug pits to 1.20 m bgl to confirm the underlying material and depth to natural ground of the slope behind the promenade
- 12 no. hand excavated pits on the beach for sediment sampling
Through early contractor involvement, CA was able to advise the client and designer on suitable specialist access plant, to successfully complete the exploratory holes in the specified locations. This scope included locations on the beach itself, along the promenade, and in the public parks and spaces.
Upon contract award, the CA Project Manager (PM) instigated a pre-start call with the client team to discuss the project to ensure both commercial and technical clarity from the project outset. Several weeks prior to the fieldwork commencing, the PM attended a pre-start meeting and walkover with the client and designer. The main focus of this was to confirm the anticipated access restrictions and suitability of the proposed plant and to assess “peak-time” restrictions to agree on the optimum programme for the fieldworks.
Accessing the CPT positions on the beach presented a considerable challenge due to the restricted tidal window, soft spots, and the formation of islands following tidal fall. The site supervisor was integral in coordinating the works to ensure they were done safely while maximising productivity and efficiency, working within the constraints of a restricted tidal window. This coordination was achieved through extensive upfront planning, programming the works to fit in with the tidal constraints while ensuring the safety of the crews and plant. Meetings were held with the town’s beach patrol prior to starting to better understand the tidal risk. Control measures to mitigate the risk from tidal working comprised four hours prior to high tide. All plant and machinery were cleared off the beach, and additionally an excavator was present throughout. This acted as a rescue vehicle in the event of mechanical breakdown.
Due to the high-profile location and visibility of the works, managing public interface was essential. The site team played a key role in ensuring control measures were adhered to for the protection of the wider public. Specifically, these measures were the segregation of work areas through the use of heras fencing, hazard warning signage, high standards of housekeeping, and thorough briefings of all personnel.
The site supervisor maintained constant communication with the project team. Exploratory hole logs were issued on a daily basis, with typed draft logs and an associated blank test schedule issued within 48 hours of exploratory hole completion. Environmental samples were dispatched from the site on a daily basis, with geotechnical samples collected each week. All laboratory testing was undertaken within the agreed programme, with the draft report and AGS data issued two weeks after the completion of lab testing, as per the agreed contract.
Due to the time of year, the team also had to contend with several categorised storms. Despite these challenges, the works were delivered successfully, both safely and in programme which is a testament to the site team.
The project was a great success and demonstrated the importance of collaborative working from the project outset, good communication, as well as flexibility in working to restrictions on site.
Project Highlights
- Works were successfully undertaken on Blackpool Beach on programme, and without incident despite tidal constraints and ground conditions.
- The investigative work was completed in the centre of Blackpool; therefore, it was imperative that the team responsibly managed their interface with the public. This was done without complaint/incident.
- The project was completed on programme and under budget.
“The Council is very grateful to CA, especially the site team, who have delivered our ground investigation project in such a professional manner. The team on site had the most difficult weather conditions to contend with, including a couple of storms, and also some technical barriers that were overcome with patience and excellent communication. I have not received any complaints in respect of the work that was carried out on site on Blackpool’s very busy yearlong coastal destination. The team has all done a great job in completing the project, but also keeping such a tidy and ordered site. Please can you send our thanks to the team, they are all a credit to CA.”
Blackpool Council’s Project Manager
In December 2023, Central Alliance (CA) were commissioned by Blackpool Council to complete a ground investigation of the coastal defences and beach. The site extends from Bispham to Blackpool South Pier, with all works completed along the seafront. The purpose of the investigation was to inform on the various design options for flood alleviation, sand retention, and the improvement of the existing sea defences. CPT operations were carried out with the additional aims of determining ground conditions of the beach, informing on the design of fishtail groin structures, and assessing the existing pier foundations.
The full scope of GI works included:
- PAS 128 survey to be completed before intrusive works
- 28 no. cable percussive boreholes to a max depth of 25 m bgl
- Variable head testing
- Installation of groundwater and gas monitoring and instrumentation inclusive of data loggers
- 30 no. window sampling boreholes to a max depth of 15 m bgl on the lower and middle seawall
- 30 no. cone penetration test (CPT) holes to a scheduled depth of 3 m bgl on the beach to investigate the toe of the existing seawall
- 108 no. CPT to a max depth of 30 m bgl with dissipation testing (located on the beach)
- 5 no. hand dug pits to 1.20 m bgl to confirm the underlying material and depth to natural ground of the slope behind the promenade
- 12 no. hand excavated pits on the beach for sediment sampling
Through early contractor involvement, CA was able to advise the client and designer on suitable specialist access plant, to successfully complete the exploratory holes in the specified locations. This scope included locations on the beach itself, along the promenade, and in the public parks and spaces.
Upon contract award, the CA Project Manager (PM) instigated a pre-start call with the client team to discuss the project to ensure both commercial and technical clarity from the project outset. Several weeks prior to the fieldwork commencing, the PM attended a pre-start meeting and walkover with the client and designer. The main focus of this was to confirm the anticipated access restrictions and suitability of the proposed plant and to assess “peak-time” restrictions to agree on the optimum programme for the fieldworks.
Accessing the CPT positions on the beach presented a considerable challenge due to the restricted tidal window, soft spots, and the formation of islands following tidal fall. The site supervisor was integral in coordinating the works to ensure they were done safely while maximising productivity and efficiency, working within the constraints of a restricted tidal window. This coordination was achieved through extensive upfront planning, programming the works to fit in with the tidal constraints while ensuring the safety of the crews and plant. Meetings were held with the town’s beach patrol prior to starting to better understand the tidal risk. Control measures to mitigate the risk from tidal working comprised four hours prior to high tide. All plant and machinery were cleared off the beach, and additionally an excavator was present throughout. This acted as a rescue vehicle in the event of mechanical breakdown.
Due to the high-profile location and visibility of the works, managing public interface was essential. The site team played a key role in ensuring control measures were adhered to for the protection of the wider public. Specifically, these measures were the segregation of work areas through the use of heras fencing, hazard warning signage, high standards of housekeeping, and thorough briefings of all personnel.
The site supervisor maintained constant communication with the project team. Exploratory hole logs were issued on a daily basis, with typed draft logs and an associated blank test schedule issued within 48 hours of exploratory hole completion. Environmental samples were dispatched from the site on a daily basis, with geotechnical samples collected each week. All laboratory testing was undertaken within the agreed programme, with the draft report and AGS data issued two weeks after the completion of lab testing, as per the agreed contract.
Due to the time of year, the team also had to contend with several categorised storms. Despite these challenges, the works were delivered successfully, both safely and in programme which is a testament to the site team.
The project was a great success and demonstrated the importance of collaborative working from the project outset, good communication, as well as flexibility in working to restrictions on site.
Project Highlights
- Works were successfully undertaken on Blackpool Beach on programme, and without incident despite tidal constraints and ground conditions.
- The investigative work was completed in the centre of Blackpool; therefore, it was imperative that the team responsibly managed their interface with the public. This was done without complaint/incident.
- The project was completed on programme and under budget.
Key Project Details
Location: Blackpool Seafront, Blackpool
Client: Blackpool Council
Consultant: Jacobs and Atkins
Sector: Property & Construction
Contract Value: £500,000
Services: Cable Percussion Boring, Window Sampling, Dynamic Probing, CPT Probing and a GPR Utility Clearance Survey
