Revisited: FP McCann Successful Completion & Delivery of Blackhead Coastal Path Project
On behalf of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, FP McCann successfully completed and delivered the Blackhead Coastal Path Project. The Blackhead Coastal Paths run between Whitehead and the Blackhead Lighthouse.
Coastal Erosion, slope movements and rock falls had caused substantial damage to the existing paths, retaining structures and promenades etc. to the extent that they were at risk of Collapse, and had to be closed to the public.
FP McCann were engaged to;
- Reconstruct an upper path with gravel bound aggregate surfacing and timber fencing,
- Install new rock armour revetments,
- Install gabion basket retaining structures to rear of new promenade section,
- Install new reinforced concrete surfaces to the promenade as well as some additional concrete path sections,
- Complete cliff stabilisation works involving specialised rope access to remove loose rocks, install rock netting, and anchors,
- Complete repairs to existing paths and bridges throughout the entirety of the path network,
- Install new steel handrail sections as well as completing repairs to other sections throughout the path network, and
- Complete repairs to the concrete steps and install a new timber step section.
To maintain access to a number of local residents who live along the promenade, FP McCann designed and installed a Temporary Works scaffold walkway structure over the new rock armour revetment along the length of the promenade while the existing promenade was reconstructed. In a bid to deliver the project in the most sustainable manner and to reduce the project Carbon Footprint as far as reasonably practicable, FP McCann sourced and got approval to use as many local material as possible with approx. 27,000 T of Rock Armour and other aggregates supplied from FP McCann’s local Loughside Quarry located in Larne, and approx. 750m³
of concrete for the new promenade and paths supplied from both FP McCann’s Mallusk and Loughside Concrete Depots (located in Newtownabbey and Larne).
Project was completed for the summer of 2020, and has recently been designated a Local Nature Reserve in March 2022 by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.
