UK – Homes at Risk From Coastal Erosion Are Evacuated

by in News, UK

Several houses in an area along England’s east coast have been evacuated after erosion brought them perilously close to the edge of a cliff.

The foundations of some of the houses, located in an area known as The Marrams near the town of Hemsby, Norfolk, have been exposed. The situation was made worse by the run of winter storms seen in the UK over recent weeks.

The BBC said that a 6 metre high dune has been completely eroded. Home owners report losing 4 or 5 metres of their gardens due to storms over the weekend 17 to 18 March, 2018.

Norfolk Police said on 17 March that “a total of 10 homes at risk from coastal erosion evacuated in Hemsby today in multi-agency response. Thanks to local businesses who offered help & support to those affected. The Marrams has been closed for the safety of the public and officers will remain on scene overnight.”

Norfolk Council said 18 March “We’re urging people to stay away from The Marrams in Hemsby and nearby sand dunes over the coming days as the area remains dangerous due to coastal erosion.”

Area along this stretch of coastline have suffered coastal erosion over recent years. After winter storms in 2013 / 2014, houses in nearby Newport fell down cliffs onto the beach.

A house along England’s east coast near Newport, Norfolk, after a storm in December 2013 eroded part of the dunes. Photo: Martinrp @ Flickr under CC BY-ND 2.0

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