West Kirby floodwall team win Merseyside Civic Design Awards

AECOM’s work on the scheme led them to picking up the award for Best Landscape Project at the Merseyside Civic Design Awards, which took place at the Arts Bar in Liverpool at the end of November.

The awards focus on high quality projects that enhance people’s ‘shared experience of the places that surround us’. Any project completed between August 1, 2018 and July 31, 2023 within Liverpool City Region was eligible for nomination by members of the public, and the judgement was made by an independent panel who assessed shortlisted projects in October.

The judges award to AECOM for West Kirby Flood Alleviation Scheme cited their reasoning as follows: "As a flood defence scheme, the structure is required to fulfil some heavy-duty functions and in less imaginative hands could have been delivered as an uninspired piece of infrastructure that was more of a barrier to people than an asset to the waterfront.

THE team behind West Kirby flood wall's design has won a prestigious award (Image: Wirral Council)"Instead, the barrier forms attractive and playful seating along the promenade. Allowing people to rest regularly if tired, or just to enjoy the view and an ice cream, is a simple thing, but well executed here with interesting detailing that adds to the visual interest. A strong, witty, and appropriately joyful intervention at the water’s edge.”

Cllr Liz Grey, chair of Wirral's environment, climate emergency and transport committee said: "Congratulations to AECOM for this award, which recognises the innovative way they designed the West Kirby flood wall scheme.

"Praise should also be extended to the wider project team, including council officers and, of course, Volkerstevin for their work on the construction.

"The ‘wave’ shape and other aspects of the final scheme, including materials and colour, were chosen as a result of direct involvement from local people in the consultation process, so they are also to be congratulated as their ideas ultimately provided the inspiration for the design."

The 1.2metre high wall, stretching 1.15km along the town’s seafront, was approved by a council committee in 2021 and officially unveiled to the public in May by the then mayor Jeff Green on May 11 this year .

The flood defence wall on West Kirby promenade was officially unveiled by then mayor Jeff Green on May 11 this year (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest)Its aim is to protect houses in the area from flooding while an estimated 20 lives will be saved in future years during serious storms. Campaigners had argued it will stop people from coming to the town.

The wall features a distinctive 'wave' design of the structure. As part of the project, the former West Kirby baths site has been transformed into a performance space that includes a shelter.

Construction company Volkerstevin has built the wall.

The official opening of West Kirby flood defence wall took place on May 11 this year (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest)During the meeting that led to the wall's approval in 2021, it was heard that over the next 100 years, approximately 26 people would be at risk of being killed if protections are not put in place, and that more than 70 properties would also be protected by a flood wall.

But local campaigners believed the flood wall was "a threat to the appearance of the town".

A couple who live nearby said at the time the scheme was passed: "As residents who live within yards of South Parade we regard the scheme as a scandalous folly in the making: exorbitant cost and irresponsible use of carbon-producing concrete for a barrier which is completely unnecessary and unwanted by the very large majority of the people it is claimed to protect, and which will spoil the promenade for the thousands who enjoy it."

Addressing concerns about the wall's worth, John Curtin chief executive of the Environment Agency said: "Schemes like this are absolutely to protect and help coastal communities thrive.

"This fantastic flood scheme in West Kirby is a great example of how you can build in that climate resilience to a community but also regenerate it, add extra benefits and meet all of the passionate community concerns."