A PARK along Rhyl’s promenade has closed to the public while work is undertaken to improve the town’s coastal defences.

The Drift Park play area, on West Parade, closed today (March 6), but will re-open with new equipment following completion of the work.

A Denbighshire County Council spokesperson said: “The Drift Park Play Area will be closed from March 6 for an extended period of time.

“This is necessary due to the ongoing work on the Central Rhyl Coastal Defence Scheme, which is scheduled for completion at the end of 2025. 

“The current play equipment will be removed and replaced with new equipment upon completion of the scheme.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”

Rhyl Journal: A projected image of the new coastal defences.A projected image of the new coastal defences. (Image: Denbighshire County Council)

READ MORE:

£92million coastal defence works in Rhyl and Prestatyn set to start

A resident, who asked not to be named, noticed temporary Heras fencing being placed around the play area this morning in preparation for the construction of an access road in its place.

The resident, who took the above photo, criticised the council’s decision to close the play area, saying it is often well-populated with children enjoying its facilities.

They said: “From what I was told, a new access road for the new sea defence in being put where kids play a lot at the little park.

“A temporary fence has been put up today, as they are possibly going to start work (on the sea defences) in April; as I was told today by the man putting up the fencing.

“I know that loads of kids go and play there, but they’re ripping the park out for this access road.

NEWSLETTER: Get the latest stories from the Rhyl, Prestatyn and Abergele area sent straight to your inbox by signing up here.

“They say they’ve done all sorts of surveying, and that no kids play there, but I know that’s not true because I live two minutes from that play area. They haven’t consulted anyone in the area.

“There are plenty of other places where they could put the access road, like right behind the SeaQuarium, or they could alter the one further down the road.”

Denbighshire County Council has worked with its partner, Balfour Beatty, to design both the schemes in both Rhyl and Prestatyn, and their combined cost is £92million.

Supported by Welsh Government funding, the new coastal structures will further reduce the risk of flooding, and aim to provide reassurance to communities in the face of rising sea levels caused by climate change.