A series of steel supports has emerged on Talacre beach in Flintshire, sparking curiosity and criticism from locals and tourists who find them unattractive. These structures are part of a temporary project to install a new pipeline connecting industrial facilities in North Wales and northwest England to the Point of Ayr gas terminal as part of the HyNet initiative. The captured carbon emissions will be transported from the terminal under the sea to gas reservoirs in Liverpool Bay.
To facilitate this process, a new conduit is being constructed between the terminal and the offshore platform, which will incorporate both electric and fiber-optic cables. The cables will provide the necessary power and telecommunication infrastructure for handling the CO2 transfer to storage sites.
Using innovative trenchless horizontal directional drilling techniques, the steel supports are aiding in the assembly of the underground conduit. This method allows for laying cables under sensitive areas like sand dunes without causing disruption to the surface.
Construction activities are underway on the shoreline, with a cofferdam being built to contain drilling fluids. The entire operation is scheduled to be completed by August 2026. In the coming months, cabling will be transported by vessel to the platform and drawn through the conduit offshore.
For safety reasons, a public footpath around Point of Ayr has been closed during the conduit installation period. Once the project is finished, all temporary structures, including barriers and screens, will be removed. The conduit will be buried beneath the sand, leaving no visible infrastructure on the beach.
In addition to the Point of Ayr project, a significant component of the Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) program involves the Main Onshore Pipeline running from Stanlow to Flint. Plans also include spur pipelines connecting various locations. Topsoil stripping along the pipeline route is commencing for future restoration purposes.
Traffic management measures are in place at Northop Hall, with community events scheduled to provide updates on the project’s progress and address any concerns.