A leading civil engineering firm has been appointed to deliver crucial multi-million-pound coastal defence improvements in North Wales.
Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK is utilising its expertise on the £13 million Kinmel Bay development after being engaged by Conwy County Borough Council following a competitive tender process.
The Ruthin-headquartered company will procure and import up to 80,000 tonnes of rock armour, sourced from North Wales quarries, to strengthen the current revetment between Towyn and Kinmel Bay.
Jones Bros will also raise just under 2km of existing sea wall by 500-750mm and replace two floodgates as part of plans to minimise the impact of stormy weather and associated coastal flooding.
The seafront is to benefit from enhancements, with improved beach access, car park upgrades, and the installation of a toilet block and street furniture.
Construction will start in September with completion scheduled for winter 2025/26, with Jones Bros set to have up to 50 staff, including apprentices and trainees, across the scheme.
Jones Bros senior contracts manager Dafydd Elis said:
“It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to build on our recent coastal defence work in Penrhyn Bay.
“We have vast experience in this sector, having also previously worked on schemes across North Wales and the UK, including Rhyl, Tywyn, Old Colwyn, Clacton-on-Sea, and the Isle of Wight.
“As a local company, we know how the community is affected by bad weather, and it is great to play a part in alleviating the impact. With any scheme, it’s also important to boost the local economy, and with that in mind we are sourcing material from North Wales quarries.”
Jones Bros will also strive to build on its ‘excellent’ rating from the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) for its work delivering £7.5 million worth of shoreside improvements as part of the Penrhyn Bay development.
The CCS aims to raise standards in construction by ensuring contractors are responsibly carrying out builds through an independent and rigorous monitoring process, which rates projects on their consideration for the environment, community, and workforce.
Councillor Goronwy Edwards, Conwy County Borough Council cabinet member for environment, roads, and facilities – infrastructure, said:
“This is an important coastal defence scheme which will help protect homes and businesses from the sea level rise and increasing storms we can expect in the future.
“It’s also an opportunity to improve public spaces and beach access at the same time.”
Established in the 1950s, Jones Bros owns one of the largest plant fleets in the UK and employs approximately 500 people.
The company is currently working on contracts in various sectors including highways, flood and marine defence, waste management and renewable energy around the UK.
The company runs an award-winning apprenticeship scheme, which has produced nearly 40% of its current workforce, with many of its senior managers having started out as apprentices or in a trainee role. It has recruited more than 100 apprentices during the past three years.
