Hemsby campaigners going to No. 10 demanding action on coastal erosion
Rupert Lowe (MP for Great Yarmouth) has written an open letter to the Prime Minister on this and is handing it in with residents, this afternoon
People living in Hemsby are handing in an open-letter to Number 10 calling for stronger action on coastal erosion.
It's as seven properties on it's seafront- that are at risk of collapsing onto the beach- are being pulled down.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council says this is designed to avoid last minute evacuations and follows weeks of discussions with owners
These demolitions will take several days to complete and are being funded by the local authority.
You can read the full letter that Rupert Lowe (MP for Great Yarmouth) has put together here.
In late January 2024- campaigners handed in a petition on this to Downing Street.
"We're now going to be focussing on lobbying the highest levels of Government"
Simon Measures is the chair of Save Hemsby Coastline:
"We are becoming a campaigning charity now. There's no point in us trying to raise funds for defences directly as the Council are saying that they're no longer looking into doing it.
"So this change means that we're now going to be focussing on lobbying the highest levels of Government for much needed change when it comes to tackling coastal erosion".
"I'd urge those in power to just do anything they can to save Hemsby"
Pascal Rose is one of those who's whose home is being demolished, this week:
"I'm absolutely heart-broken about all of this. I'm going to be sofa-surfing now through the help of family.
"I'd urge those in power to just do anything they can to save Hemsby.
"A lot of people would say why do you bother? But the trouble is that comes from people that have probably never been to Hemsby or been on holiday here".
Hemsby has lost over 40 homes since 1991, as the north sea claws away at the soft sandy dunes supporting these properties.
They have never been protected by permanent sea defence, despite the best efforts of local people.
It's as the village's coastline doesn't qualify for funding help from Westminster needed to buy a rock-berm that costs around £20 million
What's happening and when?
Rupert Lowe MP and five others are handing in the petition to 10 Downing Street at around 2.30pm.
The group will feature those from 'Save Hemsby Coastline, Hemsby Lifeboat and Hemsby Parish Council
Before this, the group will meet with Flooding Minister, Emma Hardy.
What's the Government said on this?
Ministers say they're reforming the coastal erosion funding policy to speed up the building of more defences, that will protect homes and businesses.