Coastal defence project approved for Borth

Borth is at risk from both coastal erosion and flooding

A £12m pound coastal defence project at Borth in Ceredigion has been given the go-ahead.

The work will reduce the risk of flooding and coastal erosion at the seaside resort near Aberystwyth for the next century.

It will include an artificial reef that will also aim to attract surfers.

Work is expected to start on the project which has been confirmed by Environment Minister Jane Davidson in January.

The coastal defence of Borth is long overdue and it will help to manage the risk of flooding along the the length of the village for the next 100 years Ray Quant

The 140 metre by 40 metre reef made of rock will be built alongside a 70 metre by 40 metre oblong breakwater placed 300 metres out to sea at the south end of the village.

These structures will generate a wider beach inshore to provide coastal protection for Borth.

The project will also include two rock coastal defences and two breakwaters placed at intervals along the four-mile long beach.

The existing coastal defences, built in 1960, have come to the end of their life and about 330 properties are at risk from flooding, including 40 commercial buildings, the Cambrian Coast Railway and the B 4353 road.

The project will also aim to improve Borth's surf amenity

Borth county councillor Ray Quant said: "This is fantastic news for the Borth community after so much uncertainty over the years on the financial resources needed to deliver a quality new coastal defence scheme."

He added the funding would enable the project to move forward, especially since its cost has increased from the initial budget of £7.5m.

"The coastal defence of Borth is long overdue and it will help to manage the risk of flooding along the the length of the village for the next 100 years," he said.

"There has been a lot of tests to see how the reef will work and the experts are confident it will be successful.

The work aims to be completed by September 2011

"I am also delighted that it will create an improved amenity for surfers.

"It will also allow snorkelling opportunities near the reef because marine life is expected to colonise around it."

Kwale Salam runs Walkin-on-water surf school which provides surfing instruction at Borth from March to November.

"From a surfing point of view there isn't one successful reef in Britain at the moment," he said

"Until this reef is built it's impossible to say if it will work or not but I am sure that it will be successful from a coastal defence perspective and will bring much needed money to try and regenerate Borth."

Environment Minister Jane Davidson said: "One in six properties in Wales is currently at risk of flooding, with flooding estimated to cause in the region of £200m of damage each year.

"We recognise that as the climate changes and sea level rises, flood and coastal risk is set to increase significantly over time."

The £6.5m grant for the Ceredigion Council scheme has already been approved for £5.5m from the European Regional Development Fund.