Jones Bros starts £4m third phase of Old Colwyn coastal defences for Conwy council

Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK has started a £4m third phase of coastal defence works at Old Colwyn in North Wales, the contractor said, after being appointed by Conwy County Borough Council.

The works are intended to limit damage from extreme weather to the promenade and the infrastructure behind it, according to Jones Bros. The company said the promenade protects the A55 and the main London-Holyhead railway line, and is frequently closed to the public when water breaches the sea wall.

The works

Jones Bros said it will procure 14,000 tonnes of rock armour to reinforce 100 metres of coastline, sourcing the stone from quarries in North Wales where possible.

Along a further 160 metres, the existing sea wall and the promenade behind it will be raised by about 1.5m, the company said.

A team of up to 30, including apprentices and subcontractors, will also demolish the existing access points and replace them with perpendicular stairs, crossover steps and an outfall extension.

Sam Roberts, Jones Bros project manager, said: "Our recent developments in Kinmel Bay and Penrhyn Bay put us in a strong position, as we have existing relationships with local suppliers and the experience to deliver these vital improvements."

Roberts said the company would stay in close contact with residents and had put measures in place to limit disruption to locals, promenade users and nearby businesses while construction is under way. An on-site information cabin will be available throughout the works, Jones Bros said.

The council's position

Councillor Mike Priestly, Conwy's Cabinet member for Environment, Roads & Infrastructure, described the project as another piece of the jigsaw in the transformation of the council's coastline.

He said: "They form part of a wider regeneration vision that will help protect vital infrastructure, improve accessibility, enhance the promenade experience, and ensure this stretch of coast can be enjoyed safely for generations to come."

Background

The Old Colwyn appointment follows earlier coastal work by Jones Bros for the same council. The Ruthin-based company has completed a £15m coastal defence scheme between Towyn and Kinmel Bay, for which it procured nearly 66,500 tonnes of rock armour and built eight new stepped or ramped beach access points, according to the company.

Scheme	Client	Value	Rock armour
Old Colwyn phase three	Conwy County Borough Council	£4m	14,000 tonnes
Towyn to Kinmel Bay	Conwy County Borough Council	£15m	nearly 66,500 tonnes

Jones Bros said it was established in the 1950s and owns one of the largest plant fleets in the UK. It said it is currently working on contracts in highways, flood and marine defence, reservoirs, waste management and renewable energy around the UK, and runs an apprenticeship scheme that has produced a large share of its workforce.

The Old Colwyn works are due to complete in late 2027.