Hemsby, a coastal village in Norfolk, has lost another 3m to 4m (10-13ft) of beach due to erosion, according to the local lifeboat crew. This follows a metre of cliff collapsing into the sea earlier this week. The village, already vulnerable, saw five homes demolished earlier this year.
Hemsby Lifeboat coxswain Daniel Hurd described the situation as a "disaster again" for the resort, particularly during the peak summer season. He urged Great Yarmouth Borough Council and the Environment Agency to take action. The Environment Agency acknowledged the distress and said it continues to advise local authorities on coastal erosion management.
Mr Hurd noted that 3m to 4m of dunes were lost in two days, forcing the beach to be cordoned off for remedial work. He remarked on the unusual August weather, with high tides battering the coastline. Storm Antoni, which hit parts of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland over the weekend, brought heavy rain and strong winds.
Resident Paul Lines, 64, who grew up in Hemsby, described the erosion as "absolutely devastation," watching the dunes fall and wash away. He said the beach, once his childhood playground, has eroded over 30 years to the point of no return, with no defences left to withstand winter gales.
In March, 2,000 tonnes of granite were placed along a 262ft section of cliff at The Marrams. Plans for a permanent 0.8-mile defence have been licensed, but the council needs £15m to complete the work. Mr Hurd called for urgent collaboration between the council and the Environment Agency to secure funding and resolve the crisis.
