Trial scheme to protect foreshore from windblown sand

A PILOT scheme to help reduce the amount of sand blown onto Swansea’s foreshore will soon be introduced.

The scheme, part-funded by Natural Resources Wales as part of the Tawe natural resource management trial, will include work to re-establish dunes further seawards on Swansea beach at locations close to the Slip Bridge and the Civic Centre.

Wooden fencing will be installed to help the dunes form and to prevent trampling so that dune vegetation can become established. Works will also take place to leave a four to five-metre gap between the sea wall and the newly-formed dunes.

The pilot scheme follows the advice of one of the UK’s leading experts in coastal geomorphology.

Cllr Mark Thomas, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Transportation, said: “It’s inevitable that sand from the beach will be deposited on coastal spots like the promenade and Oystermouth Road, especially on windy days, but it’s become more of an issue in recent years.

“The council spends over £20,000 a year clearing sand from these areas and parts of the city’s Sandfields community. Our staff work very hard to sweep up these deposits and return as much sand as possible to the beach, but specialists tell us this pilot scheme could help cut down on the problem in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way. If the scheme works, it also means we’ll be saving money on sand clearance work that can then be invested in other highway improvement projects like road and pavement upgrades instead.

“Final trial scheme details have yet to be finalised, but we’re looking to start work once the Wales National Airshow in July has been held. The nature of the pilot project means it will likely be a few years before we’re in a position to gauge its impact.”

Jerry Griffiths, from Natural Resources Wales, said: “The sand dune restoration will deliver multiple benefits for the local people and environment. As well as potentially reducing maintenance costs, the dunes will create a habitat for plants and wildlife, increasing the biodiversity of the area and creating a more natural beach. The new dune system will also provide a natural flood defence for Swansea Bay, improving the level of protection from future extreme weather events and sea level rise.”

Swansea Council is investing £10,000 into the project. This was agreed by the council’s cabinet as part of a £4.2m investment in highway infrastructure improvements across the city before the end of March next year.

Other schemes will include road resurfacing projects, bridge strengthening works and coastal defence improvements in areas like the Loughor foreshore.