Construction working hours
Preparatory works will typically be undertaken over 12-hour shifts, 7 days per week. However, some cable installation activities must take place within specific tidal windows and will require 24-hour working to allow the works to be completed safely and efficiently. Due to the potential for congestion in the summer season, it could also be necessary for the construction team to undertake equipment logistics during early mornings or late nights when the area is less congested for safety reasons.
The period of 24-hour working on the beach is expected to last approximately 5-6 days, but this could be longer due to the nature of the work.
During these periods, residents and visitors may notice increased site activity, construction lighting, vessel lighting and specialist vessels operating offshore. Some temporary increases in noise and minor vibration may also be experienced in the vicinity of the works. Measures will be in place to minimise disruption wherever practicable.Traffic and access
There are only a small number of construction vehicles required during construction. It is estimated that most vehicle movements will take place at the early and late stages of construction. Therefore, it is not anticipated that construction vehicles will negatively impact the condition of the roads or generate excessive traffic.
Further traffic and transport mitigation and monitoring commitments will be implemented if necessary to reduce disturbance to the community:
- Traffic routes for the construction vehicles have been selected to reduce impacts on links that would be more sensitive to changes in traffic volumes, such as those near schools.
- Where practicable, deliveries will be scheduled at times of the day to minimise disruption to the public and tourists.
- Temporary speed restrictions and traffic marshals will safely manage HGV movements.
- No road closures are planned, but there may be some reductions to public parking at Talacre Beach parking area and along Station Road during construction periods.
- Oversized or heavy vehicles that are difficult to manoeuvre into the area will be escorted by staff to ensure public safety.
- Talacre Beach is an important recreational destination for residents and visitors. While construction activities are underway, visitors may notice temporary changes to access arrangements, construction equipment and offshore activity. Every effort will be made to maintain safe public access where possible.
Construction compounds
To avoid being near residential properties, a temporary construction compound will be located at Warren Farm. This will be the main compound for storage and access to the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) Entry Pit and cable installation works.
Talacre Beach parking area will be used for access to the HDD Exit Pit and equipment will be stored on raised working platforms at the HDD exit area of the beach.
Construction timeline
The indicative construction programme is:
| Phase | Indicative dates* |
| Phase One - HDD conduit construction | February to early April 2026 – complete |
| Phase Two - Beach preparation, cable pull in, lay, and burial. | August to late October 2026 |
*dates are subject to change
The construction process
The works are comprised of two phases.
Phase 1 involved the use of a trenchless HDD method to drill a small tunnel and install a conduit from the HDD entry pit at the Warren Farm compound, to the HDD exit pit on Talacre beach.
Trenchless techniques are used to lay cables under rivers, roads, and areas of conservation like sand dunes, without digging a trench through them. HDD allowed us to tunnel beneath the sensitive sand dunes habitat, thereby minimising disruption and environmental impact on the area. Drill cuttings generated during construction were collected and removed from site in line with UK legislation.
Phase 2 will begin with the construction of a temporary cable route corridor (roller highway) across Talacre beach, after which the cable will be brought ashore by the cable laying vessel (CLV) close to the MLWS and connected to the shore pull wire.
The cable will then be pulled across the cable highway to the HDD exit point and guided through the underground conduit to the HDD entry pit. On the beach and intertidal area, the cable will be installed in short, controlled sections using tracked excavators. Each section will be excavated, the cable positioned and then backfilled using the excavated material to ensure disturbance is temporary, localised and progressively reinstated.
During this stage of the works, members of the public may notice the cable laying vessel “Ndurance” and supporting vessels operating offshore. These vessels will be visible from Talacre beach and sections of the surrounding coastline during the cable installation period.
On the beach and intertidal area, the cable will be buried using excavators. Further offshore, burial will continue using a plough controlled onboard the CLV. Cable installation and burial works will be undertaken within a clearly defined corridor and in accordance with the consent granted within the Marine License application [CML2365] submitted to Natural Resources Wales’ (NWS) Marine Licencing Team. Disturbed sediments will remain within the working area and will naturally settle and reprofile following installation, supporting rapid seabed recovery.
The HDD Entry, Exit pits and cable route on the beach will then be reinstated, and the ground returned to its original condition, with no visible infrastructure left on the beach.
As part of the cable installation works, the cable laying vessel Ndurance and supporting vessels will operate offshore between Point of Ayr and the New Douglas Offshore CCS Platform.
These vessels will be visible from Talacre Beach and surrounding areas during the construction period. Their presence is temporary and forms part of the safe installation and burial of the cable.
Vessel operations will be coordinated with relevant marine authorities and other sea users to ensure activities are carried out safely.
Public Rights of Way (PRoW)
Access to the PRoW at the top of Talacre Beach, along the base of the sand dunes, will be restricted during the cable laying works. Consistent signage (in both English and Welsh) will identify a temporary diversion through Talacre Dunes during this period, providing relevant safety information and project updates to the public.
Noise and vibration
Noise and vibration from the cable laying activities, including equipment and vehicular movements, have the potential for short-term impacts. Standard construction methodologies will be employed in accordance with current legislation and standards including British Standard 5228-1:2014 for noise and vibration control, which include:
- Predicting and assessing construction noise levels
- Using quieter or electrically powered plant when possible
- Using noise-compliant equipment and acoustic screens where required
- Due to the 24-hour working period required to complete the cable-laying activities as safely and efficiently as possible, LBCCS will seek, and receive consent from Flintshire County Council under Section 61 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974.
Visual impact
Temporary screens will be positioned around the boundary of the development to help reduce how much the work can be seen and to protect people walking nearby from any dust. During Phase 2, visitors to Talacre Beach and nearby coastal areas may notice construction activity both on the beach and offshore. The cable laying vessel Ndurance and associated support vessels will be visible in Liverpool Bay and within the Welsh Channel during cable installation activities.
This offshore presence will be temporary and is required to safely install and bury the cable. Once construction is complete, all temporary vessels and equipment will leave the area and no visible infrastructure will remain on the beach or seabed. All equipment, including temporary fencing, screens and signage, will be removed on completion of the works. On the beach, the cable will be buried at a depth of 2 to 3 meters and covered by sand, any remaining equipment will be removed. This means that there will be no visible infrastructure on the beach when construction is complete.
Further information can be found in the planning documents available on our website:
- Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP)
- Noise and Vibration Management Plan
- Dust Management Plan
- Outline Construction Traffic Management Plan (OCTMP)