Hemsby erosion: Lifeboat out of action due to further high tides

Further erosion by Hemsby Gap caused by Thursday's high tide has led to Hemsby Lifeboat declaring their offshore rescue operations are off service less than three weeks after they had been restored.

Throughout February and March, severe erosion led to the closure of beach access and part of The Marrams road crumbling into the sea. Five homes also had to be demolished after they had been left on the brink.

Hemsby is said to have lost 3m from south of the Gap and a further 3m north of it. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)

The lifeboat was left off-service for several weeks until 2,000 tonnes of rock were placed on the beach, forming a temporary sea defence and allowing beach access to reopen.

The high tide on Thursday night was reported to have claimed a further 3m from both sides of the Gap.

Hemsby Lifeboat coxswain Dan Hurd said: "It's a mess down there.

"But the rocks which were placed there a few weeks ago are holding up."

Hemsby Independent Lifeboat coxswain Dan Hurd by the temporary sea defence. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)

For resident Mandie, whose home is the last remaining on the east side of The Marrams, the recent weather has added to her existing anxieties.

She is reluctant to even consider leaving her home, as the remains of her dear old labrador Ted are buried in the front garden.

She said: "I didn't realise it would be this bad. It's not knowing that makes me nervous. All my neighbour's homes have been demolished.

"I feel I am on my own."

Slips of sand - exacerbated by people climbing on the cliffs - on the dunes behind Mandie's Marrams home. Picture - Sonya Duncan (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Mandie said her home had recently received a survey by a drone to determine how long the property has left, and she was still monitoring her property.

Plans for a more permanent rock berm providing decades of protection from the sea have been granted a licence. However, funding has yet to be secured.

The petition to save Hemsby's coastline

Ian Brennan, the chair of Save Hemsby Coastline (SHC), said the petition to get the government to take responsibility to help protect the village has almost amassed 5,000 signatures.

Four hundred people attended a recent meeting at the Lacon Arms Family Restaurant Pub.

Members from SHC and Hemsby Independent Lifeboat said the village needed to band together to put legal pressure on the government to protect homes, businesses and the beach.

Save Hemsby Coastline chair Ian Brennan by the eroded Gap. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)

Mr Brennan said: "This is bigger than Great Yarmouth Borough Council. With their entire budget, it wouldn't cover what we need. Norfolk County Council, the Environment Agency or the government needs to step up.

"There is no more room for discussion and no more room for studies. 

"They either need to fix it or admit they can't.

"We need to present over 10,000 signatures to the government in hopes they'll listen, but they know the answer already."

Save Hemsby Coastline and the lifeboat crew also have plans to march outside Westminster in the future.