Shoreline Evolution
The earliest defences in this area date back to 1793 when the Rhuddlan Marsh Commissioners obtained powers via an Act of Parliament to drain the area around Towyn. Formal defences were constructed in the mid 19th century to protect the new Chester to Holyhead railway line. In 1990 a combination of westerly storm-force winds, a high tide with 1.5m surge and extreme wave conditions caused a 400m long breach of Network Rail's Towyn defences. The resulting 'Towyn Flood' covered 4 square miles and affected 2,800 properties. Subsequently a massive rock revetment was built to ensure that this defence would not be breached again at this location. In 1999 the Council carried out coast protection works on the public frontage to the east of the Towyn Revetment which included a new linear rock revetment at Golden Sands, beach nourishment at Kinmel Bay and new rock groynes. At the entrance to the Afon Clwyd the remains of Kinmel Bay Dunes - which at one time stretched the whole length of this section of coastline - abut the foreshore. West to east longshore drift has resulted in significant accretion of material in front of the dunes and around Horton's Nose. Conversely, the shingle bank immediately east of Golden Sands is eroding and may require intervention in the future to restore the design level of protection.
Inspection & Monitoring
Beach Monitoring Surveys are carried out every six months and after storm events. The surveys comprise Beach Profiles at 4 locations, together with a contour survey of the foreshore of the entire frontage from the west end of the Towyn Revetment to the Afon Clwyd. Defence structures are inspected every three months by Group technical staff. An annual inspection and report is carried out by a consultant coastal engineer.
Contact
For any enquires regarding this section of coastline, please contact the Coast Inspector for this area, Mr Andrew Tee on 01492 575325 or e-mail to
environmental.services@conwy.gov.uk 
