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Hemsby: Clifftop road collapses due to coastal erosion

The collapsed access road is on the south side of Hemsby Gap and is a public right of way

An access road has collapsed at a seaside resort where three homes have already been demolished after high tides cut into sandy cliffs.

It comes days after the properties were demolished amid fears they would fall on to the beach at Hemsby in Norfolk.

Two further homes were evacuated on Monday and their owners collected their belongings. Those properties are also expected to be pulled down.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council said it was looking to provide rock defences.

People began leaving their chalets on The Marrams on Friday due to high tides and strong winds.

The demolition of the homes has been taking place on the north side of Hemsby Gap in the direction of Winterton-on-Sea, but the access road has collapsed south of that section of coast.

The Gap is a dip in the cliff and dunes used by the lifeboat crew to access the beach.

Norfolk County Council said the collapsed section was on a public right of way that its highways team closed as a precaution on Monday.

It said officers were on site assessing the damage.

A spokesman added: "The situation along the coast continued to develop and anyone with any concerns about roads and rights of way in the area should report any issues."

Martin Barber/BBC The collapsed section of road in HemsbyMartin Barber/BBC
Norfolk County Council said the road was a public right of way that was closed as a precaution on Monday
Martin Barber/BBC Lance Martin's home with the road collapse is in viewMartin Barber/BBC
Officers are at the scene assessing the damage, which has happened close to Lance Martin's home

The road has fallen away just south of one of the properties, owned by Lance Martin, which is teetering on the edge.

Mr Martin hoped to be able to move his property, which he described as his "dream home", further inland.

Martin Barber/BBC Sue's home being demolishedMartin Barber/BBC
Three homes were demolished before they could fall off the cliff on to the beach

About 1,900 tonnes of granite is expected to arrive on Wednesday, with Great Yarmouth Borough Council saying it was looking to protect the cliff with rock defences to save clifftop road access to a number of other properties.

The council said it was waiting for permission from the landowner to put the granite rocks on the beach.

It said there was no update on when the demolition of the two properties would take place.

Seven bungalows along The Marrams had to be demolished when the sandy cliffs were washed away in March 2018 and, in December 2013, the worst storm surge in decades destroyed seven homes.

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