A CIVIL engineering firm from Ruthin has started work on a crucial multi-million-pound coastal defence scheme.

The £7.5m council project, delivered by Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK, will see updates to the café bar, a new pedestrian and cyclist crossing point and the installation of a disability ramp for access to the beach in Penrhyn Bay. 

Jones Bros, appointed by Conwy Borough Council, will procure and import 70,000 tonnes of rock armour, sourced from North Wales quarries, which will be built in a T-shape rock groyne to reduce beach erosion and minimise the impact of stormy weather and associated coastal flooding.

The company will also import large quantities of shingle to replenish the beach in order to protect the existing stepped defences, the promenade, and the infrastructure behind it.

Dafydd Elis, Jones Bros senior contracts manager, said: “As a local company, it’s wonderful to be awarded the scheme, which we know will be of great benefit to the community.

Denbighshire Free Press: The engineering firm will be delivering £7.5m worth of shoreside improvements to lessen the impact of coastal flooding at Penrhyn Bay. The engineering firm will be delivering £7.5m worth of shoreside improvements to lessen the impact of coastal flooding at Penrhyn Bay. (Image: Jones Bros)

“We have vast experience in coastal and marine projects, having worked on schemes across North Wales and the UK, including Rhyl, Tywyn, Old Colwyn, Clacton-on-Sea, and the Isle of Wight.

“As with every project we do, we have looked at sourcing material from the region and it’s fantastic that we can use North Wales quarries and help the local economy.”

The seafront is to benefit from improvements, with the area opposite the Beach Café Bar set to have new surfacing, seating, and handrailing fitted.

Current parking areas are to be relocated closer to the entrance of Rhos Golf Club, and a new pedestrian and cyclist crossing point will be installed between Maes Gwyn Road and Pendorlan Road, as well as a disabled beach access ramp.

The public space improvements, including the promenade and cycle path, are expected to be finished by early summer.

The onshore coastal defence aspects of the project are set to be finished by the end of 2023, with Jones Bros set to have about 30 staff, including apprentices and trainees, across the entire scheme.

Residents will be kept up to date with a project information cabin located onsite.

Cllr Goronwy Edwards, cabinet member for environment, roads, and facilities – infrastructure, added: “Coastal defences are important to protect our communities from the increased threat of climate change, sea level rises and storms. This work is an integral part of the council’s strategy and will benefit the residents of Penrhyn Bay for a long time to come.”

Established in the 1950s, Jones Bros owns one of the largest plant fleets in the UK.