Trucks move tons of sand to protect Pwllheli from flooding. Residents complain about noise and beach damage due to major works.
Sand is moved from beyond Gimblet Rock to Traeth Crugan, with trucks driving past houses and the golf course. Workers add sand to rock walls in order to strengthen the area against high tides, as experts believe Pwllheli faces significant flood risks. Flooding could impact areas west and east of town, including the outer harbor and town center.
The beach work commenced on February 3rd and is expected to conclude around February 10th. Jones Bros is managing the engineering work, with favorable weather conditions contributing to its pace.
However, the construction isn’t without drawbacks, as some residents are eager for it to end. Trucks utilizing the top part of the beach have created ruts in the sand, resulting in bumpy rides. One resident specifically complained about the noise generated by the trucks.
Council engineers acknowledged the expected disturbance and apologized for the inconvenience. They also hauled some material by road, causing a temporary increase in local traffic. Despite the disruptions, engineers emphasized that this work is crucial for protecting the town and its dunes from flooding.
Looking towards the future, Natural Resources Wales is planning for long-term flood protection measures. These include potentially raising harbor walls, river diversion, adding a harbor gate, and elevating some roads. Securing funding approval for these projects is targeted for 2025.
New coastal defenses are also being considered, such as structures west of Pwllheli to allow the coast to “move inland,” as well as defenses near Afon Rhyd-hir. Despite these efforts, some remain skeptical about the long-term value of the current beach nourishment.
One person expressed concern that the work won’t save the dunes, fearing that tides could wash the deposited sand away. Another person concurred, predicting rapid erosion, especially considering Pwllheli harbor’s natural tendency to fill with silt. Dredging is typically required to remove approximately 12,000 cubic meters annually.
Failure to dredge puts the harbor at risk, while dredged silt was previously used for land fill. The current sand transfer initiative aims to aid Pwllheli, with the council securing funds for this purpose, which is intended to protect the dunes from floods. The project is anticipated to be completed soon.
