Residents moving out of "unsafe" homes in Hemsby today ahead of demolitions
Five homes on the seafront will soon be demolished after being deemed unsafe to stay in, thanks to recent coastal erosion
Two residents who are moving out of their homes in Hemsby today tell us their Christmas plans have now been "cancelled".
Five homes on the seafront will soon be demolished- after being deemed unsafe to stay in, thanks to recent coastal erosion.
"It's going to be chaos"
Kevin Jordan has lived in this Norfolk village for 14 years: "Apart from all the trauma of having to leave my home - I'm livid in the timescales that I've been given.
"It's going to be chaos. I'm going to be still packing as people are asking what they should be taking to the trucks. I'm going to be unscrewing things from the walls. I've got to keep things like fridge and freezer food separate, so we can get it over there and sorted.
"Those from Hemsby Lifeboat have been great. They are volunteering and they have also found some help as well. As it's literally carrying all these boxes up that footpath to the vans- to move us. That journey from here to Martham will have to be done several times."
"Things should have been done ages ago"
Marie Howlett has lived on the 'The Marrams' for three years: "Me and my partner have noticed that we're chucking a lot of stuff out, as we can't take it with us.
"There are a lot of sentimental things here, but there are some things that we just can't keep, so we've been forced to have a clear out.
"Things should have been done ages ago and sorted out, meaning that we've all practically been made homeless now. Looking forwards... I haven't thought that far ahead"
"Staff have been working hard to provide support"
Councillor Carl Smith, leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said:
‘’While we have known for some considerable time that more properties were at risk from erosion, this remains an extremely difficult time for those people who are losing their homes.
"Our thoughts are with those affected and our staff have been working hard to provide support and welfare for those who need it.
‘’Unfortunately, continued erosion on this stretch of coastline is inevitable and we are working hard with our partners and other agencies to work out how we best adapt to the changing shape of our coast in the coming years.’’