Cyngor Gwynedd project to safeguard Hirael from coastal flooding

Significant flood risk mitigation work will be carried out in the Hirael area of Bangor, which will benefit the whole community.

 

The project is funded by Cyngor Gwynedd and Welsh Government and starts in early June with work estimated to last for 10 months.

 

The work is aimed at safeguarding the Hirael area from coastal flooding, a situation exacerbated by rising sea levels caused by climate change. This sea defence project will protect 194 residential and business properties in the lower Hirael area.

 

The Council’s YGC Department will manage the project and provide design support while Griffiths Construction have been appointed to carry out the work.

 

Minister for Climate Change, Julie James said, “As we address the climate emergency, I am pleased to be providing Cyngor Gwynedd with 85% of the funding for these works through our Coastal Risk Management Programme.

 

“Coastal communities must adapt to rising sea levels and this scheme will help do just that, by improving the flood and coastal erosion protection to 194 properties in the Hirael area within Bangor.”

 

Councillor Berwyn Parry Jones, Cyngor Gwynedd Cabinet Member for the Highways, Engineering and Consultancy Department, said: “This investment in flood defences is good news for the local community as both homes and businesses will be better protected for the future. Rising sea levels is a real problem for coastal areas like Gwynedd and I’m pleased to see this work start.

 

“As well as improving flood defences, the project aims to enhance the overall appearance of Hirael and improve accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists. Both the Wales Coastal Path and the National Cycle Route pass nearby and this project provides a great opportunity to improve links to these two local assets with a new cycle track running along the edge of the Beach Road West carpark.

 

“The work will cause some temporary nuisance to local residents and businesses with some roads and carparks closed at times and elements of the work will be noisy at times. I’m very sorry about this inconvenience and I thank people in advance for their patience and wish to assure people that every effort will be made to minimise disruptions.”

 

Temporary diversions will be in place on footpaths and cycle paths, and Glandŵr Road will be closed temporarily. Beach Road East car park will be closed for the duration of the project and parts of Beach Road West car park will also be closed at times.

 

For more information and updates on the project, please visit https://hirael.ygc.cymru/

 

 

Notes

Stringent environmental measures will be followed throughout the construction process and a marine license has been obtained from Natural Resources Wales.