Jones Bros Completes £15 Million Kinmel Bay Coastal Defence Upgrade

Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK has finalised a significant £15 million coastal defence project at Kinmel Bay, North Wales, aimed at protecting over 2,000 homes and businesses from flooding.

Commissioned by Conwy County Borough Council, the Ruthin-based company reinforced the shoreline between Towyn and Kinmel Bay by installing nearly 66,500 tonnes of rock armour, with 96% of the material sourced from local quarries. The existing two-kilometre sea wall was elevated by 560 to 750 millimetres using precast concrete units, and two floodgates were replaced to enhance protection against storm surges and coastal flooding.

The project also included the construction of eight new stepped or ramped beach access points, each equipped with handrails to improve visitor safety. Throughout the 12-month construction period, the works were carefully phased to minimise disruption, keeping half of the beach open and maintaining promenade access except for a single week.

Additional improvements featured upgrades to St Asaph Avenue car park, enhancements to two mini parklets along the seafront, and the installation of street furniture such as benches. The project emphasised community respect, environmental care, and workforce wellbeing, earning an “excellent” rating from the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS).

Jones Bros’ health, safety, and environmental initiatives were recognised with the Mates in Mind (MiM) Gold Achievement Award, highlighting the company’s dedication to supporting employee mental health.

Sam Roberts, project manager for Jones Bros who led a team of up to 60 workers, commented: “It’s been fantastic to work alongside Conwy County Borough Council to deliver such an important scheme, one that will no doubt help preserve the existing infrastructure from flooding and storm damage. As a North Wales-headquartered civil engineering firm, it’s brilliant to procure the rock armour required from five quarries in the region and use local suppliers where possible.

“We’ve also welcomed approximately half-a-dozen Jones Bros apprentices to site to give them a real hands-on experience of what a busy, live scheme looks like, which I know, as a former apprentice myself, provides valuable experience. Overall, it’s been a rewarding project to work on and I’m proud of the team for completing the works to such a high standard.”

Conwy County Borough Council Cabinet Member for Environment, Roads and Infrastructure, Councillor Mike Priestley, said: “The Kinmel Bay Coastal Defence scheme is about protecting the community while improving the seafront for everyone. Made possible through funding from the Welsh Government, the scheme has delivered stronger coastal defences, including raising the existing seawall and rock armour, helping to reduce flood risk both now and in the future.

“Alongside this, we’re enhancing beach access, improving the car park and creating better facilities such as cycle amenities, seating and play areas. Together, these improvements will help make Kinmel Bay a safer, more resilient, and welcoming destination for residents and visitors alike. I’m pleased that the scheme was delivered by a North Wales contractor, supporting jobs, and the local economy during construction.”

Social value was a key focus throughout the project, with Jones Bros sponsoring local youth football teams including the Panthers under-11s and Prestatyn Sports under-11s, as well as Rhyl Rugby Club under-9s. The company also supported Denbigh & District Amateur Boxing Club in staging a show in Denbigh for the first time in over 20 years and provided Ysgol Cefn Meiriadog with barriers and cones for a new construction area.

Founded in the 1950s, Jones Bros operates one of the UK’s largest plant fleets and employs around 550 people. The firm is engaged in contracts across sectors such as highways, flood and marine defence, reservoirs, waste management, and renewable energy throughout the UK.

Jones Bros runs an award-winning apprenticeship scheme that has contributed significantly to its workforce, with many senior managers having started as apprentices or trainees. Over the years, the company has recruited hundreds of apprentices, supporting skills development in the industry.