Labour and Lib Dem leaders tell us greater action against coastal erosion in Norfolk is needed
It's after metres were taken off Hemsby's shoreline in a few days thanks to high spring tides
The leaders of the Labour Party and Liberal Democrats have told us that stronger collaborative work is needed to tackle coastal erosion in Norfolk.
It's after metres were taken off Hemsby's shoreline in a few days thanks to high spring tides.
It's meant that 5 homes have had to be demolished this year, with another being pulled in land.
Temporary defences made up of nearly 2,000 tonnes of granite covering 40 metres, have also been put in place.
"Totally understand why this is of such great concern"
Sir Keir Starmer is the leader of the Labour Party:
"Firstly, I'd like to express my empathy with those affected by this. A number homes have been lost, this has a huge impact on families and communities.
"I think there is now a package to try and address this and we need to work with local communities to put forward a sustainable solution to this.
"But I totally understand why this is of such great concern."
"Things can be done where there's the will"
Sir Ed Davey is the leader of the Liberal Democrats:
"Coastal erosion is a serious matter and it's been getting worse as climate change has been raising sea-levels, in Norfolk.
"I worked on this when Norman Lamb was the MP for North Norfolk, and I remember him showing me examples of this across the county.
"We need greater effort by the government and local communities to try to tackle that.
"In some places there will be defences that can be put in place. Norman and I worked towards the reinforcements at Bacton to save the gas pipeline and gas hub there.
"That example shows that things can be done where there's the will."
What have the Conservatives said about this?
Conservative local MP Brandon Lewis says the recently installed rock defences are a start, but more needs to be done to find and put in place a long-term solution.