The Anchorsholme Park Project

Between 2015 and 2019, Anchorsholme Park underwent a significant transformation as engineers from United Utilities undertook an £80m project to improve local sewage treatment systems. At the outset, the park was a scene of intensive construction, with towering cranes, vast holes, and heaps of excavated earth. For many, it seemed almost inconceivable that the park would ever regain its charm. However, by the time the project concluded, Anchorsholme Park had not only returned to its former state but had been enhanced into a vital community asset. The project was monumental, involving the construction of a 30-metre-deep storm tank, the relocation of the pumping station from the headland to the park, and the installation of a 3.7km-long outfall pipe. The work below ground was equally matched by significant improvements above. When the park reopened in early 2020, it featured a wealth of new amenities, including a bowling club, a café with indoor facilities, an outdoor seating area, a children’s playground, tennis courts, a sports area, and a trim trail. Additionally, visitors could enjoy direct access to the park from the beach and the newly redeveloped stretch of Prince’s Way, where multi-million-pound sea defences were built.

There was some controversy during the project, particularly concerning the noise and tremors caused by the installation of the massive pumping station. This state-of-the-art facility has the capacity to pump 14 tonnes of water per second, an impressive feat likened to emptying a petrol tanker in just three seconds. Despite these challenges, the end result has been broadly celebrated. Some elements of the original park were not replaced, such as the former pitch-and-putt course, and only one of the two bowling greens was retained. Nevertheless, the reopened Anchorsholme Park stands as a shining example of how a problem area can be transformed into a thriving community space, blending practical infrastructure improvements with recreational and leisure facilities.