Newgale Coastal Adaptation

Summary

The Newgale Coastal Adaptation project is being led by Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC). AtkinsRéalis has been appointed by PCC to help with the development of the project. Other companies will also be part of the project, bringing skills and knowledge to help PCC deliver the Newgale Coastal Adaptation project. The project is focused on reshaping transportation, access, and infrastructure to respond to the challenges of coastal erosion and climate change. By rerouting the A487 inland, improving pathways, reshaping beach access, and allowing natural shoreline migration, the project aims to safeguard connectivity and the environment while strengthening community resilience. Community and stakeholder engagement – through Task and Finish Groups, public events, and the facilitation support of the Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum – is central to guiding project design and ensuring it aligns with local needs, environmental protection, and long-term sustainability goals.

Introduction

Newgale and the coastal road have always been affected by coastal storms and a changing coast. Some places are low lying and have a history of flooding. This can be seen on historic maps of the area.   

The pebble and shingle bank is a natural part of the beach at Newgale, which has been shaped by marine processes. The bank is not a man-made flood defence but it does give some protection to the coastal road and the village from local storm events. Heavy rainfall and storms can also flood the areas around Brandy Brook. Storms and waves push the pebbles onto the road and cause it to flood, making it difficult and dangerous to use. The pebble bank would gradually move inland over time if the pebbles were not put back to keep the road clear.   

Climate change will lead to rising sea levels, more stormy weather and more frequent periods of heavy rainfall. Over 100 years, sea levels are predicted to rise by up to 1.35m. The sandy part of the beach in front of the pebble bank will become steeper and narrower, making the pebble bank more unstable. More storms and higher tides will push the pebbles onto the road more and more often.   

Continuing to clear the pebbles from the road or trying to keep the shingle ridge in its current location will become more difficult in the future as it will happen more often. The actions needed to keep the coastal road usable by trying to stop the pebbles moving would become larger, more disruptive and more costly over time. Trying to protect properties from flooding could mean building flood protection around individual properties, changing their outlook and usability and the character of Newgale.  

The Newgale Coastal Adaptation project allows people to influence the decisions about what adaptation could look like, understanding how it may affect them.

What is happening with the project at the moment?

The project aims to deal with the challenges of a changing coastline at Newgale.

INLAND ROAD LINK

The project started several years ago. A lot of work has been done around creating a new inland road link so that through traffic is taken away from the coastline and out of areas at risk of increased flooding in the future.

The replacement road is just one element of adapting to the coastal change at Newgale. The project team has been working with technical specialists and the public to identify activities that take into account the wider environmental and social issues the area will face, with a long-term perspective. Engagement with local people has focused on understanding what could provide real and lasting benefits, with ideas developed into scheme elements that will form part of the overall project.

Figure showing the Plan and Profile Drawing of Newgale Beach Road

COASTAL ADAPTATION VISUALISATION

The coast and the landscape would naturally respond to the influence of climate change. Adaptation is about understanding this natural response and working with it.

As a result of a severe storm or a decision to stop the management of the shingle bank, the sand and shingle ridge of the beach would move inland. The coastal road, footpaths and some property would be affected. Eventually, the outfall of Brandy Brook would naturally move to a new location, expected to straighten. Some areas would flood more often, leading to changes in the plants and animals found there.

The visualisations here are based on modelling of how the coast could change at Newgale, taking snapshots of the next 100 years. They show how the shingle ridge would move inland and which areas would be flooded often by the high tide. Flooding from Brandy Brook is also visible. Flooding from storms would be added on top of this.  

Doing nothing to prepare and adapt to these coastal processes would mean losing many things that are important to the community and that make Newgale valued. Properties, businesses and land would be affected and access to the beach would become more difficult. The coastal road would become unusable, affecting transport links to and from the St Davids Peninsula. 

Screenshot of Newgale coastal visualisation

OTHER WORK

A range of ecology surveys have been completed to build understanding of the local natural environment. Specialists are using information from environmental surveys to consider how the project may have impacts on the area. Ground investigations have been carried out to enable engineers to adjust the replacement road design and alignment. The understanding of environmental conditions and possible impacts then helps to develop the design so we can try to avoid certain areas, or reduce the severity of impacts that could harm the environment.

The project team has been working with community members and engaging with local landowners and businesses to discuss what the project may involve, as part of ongoing consultation and engagement activities. This website has been created to continue conversations with the community about the project and will provide updates as the work progresses.

Phase 1 of the project

The first phase of the project has four main parts. Together they will start the process of coastal adaptation at Newgale, creating the opportunity for the coastline to move while protecting things we know are important to local communities. We call these four parts ‘scheme elements’. They are:

1. Rerouting the Newgale section of the A487 – The coastal road is increasingly vulnerable to flooding and storm damage. A new inland route will provide a safer, more reliable connection while creating space for the beach to move naturally inland.
2. Creating a new walking and cycling path through Newgale – The Wales Coast Path and National Cycle Network 4 will be rerouted inland as a new accessible, traffic-free path with boardwalks and a bridge over Brandy Brook, ensuring safer year-round access.
3. Changing access to the beach and coastal businesses – Once the new road is open, the old section will close, with a temporary private access road built for Newsurf and the Duke of Edinburgh pub, giving them time to adapt to future coastal change.
4. Releasing space for the beach to adapt to coastal change – Removing the old A487 will allow the sea and shingle ridge to move naturally, reconnecting the village with the beach, reducing traffic noise, and creating new biodiverse green spaces for people to enjoy.

Getting involved

The project aims to involve people in shaping its development. Consultation and engagement have been used to understand what is important and valued by the community, and further input on coastal change and how the project might affect Newgale and the surrounding areas will continue to inform future solutions.

As part of this process, the project team has engaged with local businesses, schools, young people, landowners, and local councillors, including the 65 members of the Task and Finish Groups (TFGs) and the Coastal Adaptation Guidance Group (CAGG). Their feedback has helped to shape specific scheme elements, particularly for Phase 1 of the project.

The Statutory Pre-application period has now closed, with consultation running between 14 April 2025 and 11 May 2025. All draft planning application documents are available via the project webpage. Updates will also be shared with those who register to join the mailing list.

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