An emergency meeting will be held in Hemsby amid ongoing erosion which has led to the demolition of several homes.

Hemsby Independent Lifeboat has called a public meeting at the L A Lounge inside the Lacon Arms pub on Sea View Road on Friday, March 17 from 7pm.

The meeting will focus on discussions for a strategy to lobby the government for more action to be taken to save the village.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The back of a Marrams home nearing the edge of a cliff in Hemsby. Picture - Denise BradleyThe back of a Marrams home nearing the edge of a cliff in Hemsby. Picture - Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)

This comes as Great Yarmouth Borough Council (GYBC) announced rocks from Hopton will be transported to Hemsby to assist the southern end of the Marrams ahead of high tides during the spring equinox later this month.

For the past two weeks, the village has battled severe erosion.

Access to the beach by Hemsby Gap has been prohibited since Saturday, February 25 after more of the area was claimed by the sea, creating a sheer drop by the Gap.

This also led to Hemsby Lifeboat being unable to respond to calls out at sea. The lifeboat's offshore service remains unavailable.

Homes on the Marrams were also left closer to the edge. One household was evacuated that weekend, with several more following suit after Friday's spring tide claimed even more of the cliff face.

On Saturday, three homes on the north side of the Marrams were demolished to prevent them from falling into the sea.

Residents at risk have been offered alternative accommodation by the council.

Planning and building control experts continue to survey homes in the Marrams and assess the damage. It is thought two further properties will need to be demolished.

Road closures remain in place in the area.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Roads have been closed in Hemsby. Picture - James WeedsRoads have been closed in Hemsby. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)

GYBC leader Carl Smith said: "It is essential for public safety that people stay away from the Marrams and the beach.

"There are clear signs in place advising people of where access is not permitted, but sadly a small number of people continue to visit the area and are choosing to put themselves and others at risk by not heeding the warnings.

"We are also in contact with the landowners, Geoffrey Watling (Norwich) Ltd, to seek their support in addressing the erosion challenges as we try to do all we can to help residents."

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Great Yarmouth borough Council leader Carl Smith. Picture - NewsquestGreat Yarmouth borough Council leader Carl Smith. Picture - Newsquest (Image: Archant)

The council's coastal management team, Coastal Partnership East (CPE) - working with its contractors Balfour Beatty - is arranging for rocks to be brought by road to Hemsby from nearby Hopton. The plan is to place the rocks on the beach in front of the most at-risk section of the road.

This work is being carried out under the Coastal Protection Act (1949) which grants the Coastal Protection Authority special powers to act in an emergency to protect land, people or property.

Power and water have been secured in the Marrams, and there is no gas supply. But utility companies, the landowners and other agencies are analysing longer-term solutions. Work is also taking place to ensure sewerage and drainage are safe and secured.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Rock is being transported from Hopton to help protect the southern end of the Marrams in Hemsby. Picture - Denise BradleyRock is being transported from Hopton to help protect the southern end of the Marrams in Hemsby. Picture - Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)

A CPE spokesperson said: "All relevant statutory bodies have acknowledged the urgent need for this work.

"We will proceed as the risks from the recent high spring tides decrease. We aim to deliver a short-term rock solution to defend the access road to the Marrams South in the next two weeks ahead of the equinox tides in the next few weeks, which can be the highest spring tides."

The council’s housing and community teams and the Environment Agency are also assisting in the village.

Jane Beck, GYBC's head of property and asset management, said: "The safety and wellbeing of residents is of paramount importance. It is incredibly distressing for those who have lost their homes and we are supporting those affected."

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Hemsby Independent Lifeboat helmsman Chris Batten by Hemsby Gap on Friday. Picture - Denise BradleyHemsby Independent Lifeboat helmsman Chris Batten by Hemsby Gap on Friday. Picture - Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)