Hemsby residents react to latest coastal erosion: "Is this the end now?"

200 metres of the seafront road collapsed over the weekend

Author: Tom ClabonPublished 28th Nov 2023

Local leaders in Hemsby will meet with residents to discuss what's next for the Norfolk seaside village that's been battered by coastal erosion.

It's after 200 metres of the seafront road - called 'The Marrams' - collapsed over the weekend.

There are more high-tides and strong winds expected today and across the week.

"There may not be a summer in Hemsby"

Simon Measures is chair of 'Save Hemsby Coastline' and lives on The Marrams:

"People in Fakes Road, St Mary's Road and along The Glebe are staring down the barrel of homelessness themselves.

"When The Marrams goes- and it's gone very quickly- if they're about 40/50 metres back and they think they're here for 10/20 years, that idea has gone.

"Fakes Road is probably in danger in the next few years."

Dan Hurd is from Hemsby lifeboat:

"Personally I think emergency powers should be brought in so we can get rock granite down on the beach, to protect what's left.

"At the moment, there may not be a summer in Hemsby, because if there's no beach, nobody will come."

"It's really depressing and devastating."

Kevin Jordan lives on The Marrams - and told us what it was like on Friday night, when the bad weather hit:

"The water and electricity go off- and you start to think, is this the end now? I'm sitting here and looking at pieces of my road that has fallen off and the rest is just hanging there, waiting to fall."

Lance Martin lived on 'The Marrams' and successfully pulled his home back from the eroding cliff edge last spring: "I've spent about ÂŁ15,000 over the last few months on doing the place up. Only to have that ripped from my grasp. It's really depressing and devastating.

Lorna Bevan is the owner of the Lacon Arms pub - which is close to the seafront:

"It's already having a knock-on effect on business, as people are seeing that we don't have a beach and what's left has been devastated.

"There's mess on the beach, as well from the properties and metal work.

"Plus with the beach being so low now - it's uncovering things from the world wars".

"I am monitoring the situation closely"

Brandon Lewis is the MP for Great Yarmouth: “I understand that Great Yarmouth Borough Council have officers on the ground, carrying out door to door assessments at properties affected.

“The Council are due to meet with all local agencies and the emergency services shortly, including Save Hemsby Coastline and Hemsby Parish Council to discuss what assistance can be offered.

"The problem remains that the land is privately owned and the landowners must play a role.

“I am monitoring the situation closely and continue to work with Council officials and Coastal Partnership England”

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