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WELCHES BEACH IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Welches beach is located at Welches in Christ Church on the south coast of Highway 7, approximately 0.5km west of Oistins. The main road is immediately adjacent to the sea at Welches and prior to construction of the project, was exposed to wave action and flooding during storm events. Flooding of the road was hazardous to motorists, and made walking along the road difficult, or impossible at times. Continued exposure of the road to wave action was likely to result in the road being undermined.
The Welches Beach Improvement project was assigned a construction budget of US$1.5 million and a priority ranking of three within the Coastal Infrastructure Programme.
Project Objectives
The specific objectives of the project were:
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To reduce overtopping of the seawall and flooding of the roadway; and
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To provide an improved beach amenity
It was intended that the first objective would be achieved by widening the original beach, thereby providing an improved level of protection for the road from flooding.
The project objectives have been met, i.e.
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Subsequent to project completion, there have been no reported incidents of the seawall being overtopped or the roadway being flooded. Therefore these events have not just been reduced but eliminated.
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An improved beach amenity has been provided through the creation of a wider beach with a seating area.
Additionally, there has been landscaping to replace coastal vegetation damaged or lost during previous construction activities.
Project Design Components
The project comprised the following:
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Beach nourishment (8000 cubic metres of sand was brought to the site)
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Construction of a spur and a revetment at the western end of the project site
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Reconstruction of a groyne at the western end of the the project site
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Construction of a groyne in the centre of the project site
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Construction of a spur and a revetment at the eastern end of the project site
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New east and west public access points including a ramp for physically challenged individuals to reach the beach
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Public walkway and overlook in the centre of the beach for improved access
Construction of the Project
The contract for construction of the project was awarded to Capital Signal Company Limited in July 2005. Construction was completed, within budget, in February 2006.
During construction, water quality and beach profile monitoring programmes were undertaken.
Post Construction Monitoring
The CZMU conducted a post-construction beach profile monitoring programme which encompassed the project site as well as beaches to the east (updrift) and to the west (downdrift) of the project site. Beach profiles were monitored monthly over a one year period subsequent to completion of the project in order to determine if there was any accretion (accumulation of sand), erosion (loss of sand), or if the beach was stable (no significant accretion or erosion). The results indicate that the works have resulted in a wider, more stable beach with some sand building up to the east (updrift side). There has been no erosion observed on the downdrfit side of the site, indicating that sediment (sand) is passing around the structures and sediment transport pathways have not been interrupted. In other words, the effects of this project have been positive and limited to this section of coastline.
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