Homes being swallowed up by the sea – as rate of coastal erosion accelerates
Simon Measures moved to Hemsby in Norfolk from Northamptonshire hoping for a quieter life by the sea.
But it’s been a stormy few days, and he’s been losing sleep.
“Whenever there is a high wind predicted with a high tide, we don’t sleep very well,” Mr Measures said.
That’s because the sand dunes below his house are eroding. He tells Sky News they’ve lost three metres in just a couple of days.
Part of the road have already fallen away and the properties in front of his are getting closer to the edge.
Once they’ve gone – his home will be next.
Further up what was once the road is a gaping hole where Kevin Jordan’s home stood until it was demolished last year.
Mr Jordan said: “I had a knock on the door, the evening just after the storm, and it was someone from Yarmouth Borough Council building control.
“They handed me a letter saying, I’ve got seven days to get out. I had nowhere to go.”
Due to Kevin’s mobility issues, he’s classed as vulnerable and has been provided with accommodation.
But his is a special case.
Spreaker This content is provided by Spreaker, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Spreaker cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options. Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Spreaker cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Spreaker cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
Click to subscribe to ClimateCast with Tom Heap wherever you get your podcasts
There’s no compensation, alternative accommodation or insurance payout for most people who lose their homes due to coastal erosion.
The accelerating rate of coastal erosion isn’t exclusive to Norfolk.
According to a survey from One Home using government data, 21 villages and hamlets in England will lose more than half a billion pounds worth of residential property to coastal erosion by 2100.
It means difficult decisions need to be made about what should be saved, and what should be left to the sea.
Currently money is allocated according to the value of what’s being protected.
This is sensible in one way as cities with big economies and big populations get big seawalls, but in rural areas it can mean expensive homes owned by the wealthy are defended but cheaper housing isn’t deemed worth it.
The people we met in Norfolk say they feel abandoned, but the government says it’s increasing funding.
Floods minister Robbie Moore told us they recognise climate change means the coast is disappearing faster, and they are planning to do something about it.
Mr Moore said: “Over the next six-year funding programme, we’re increasing that nationally from £2.6bn to £5.2bn, with specifically more money being allocated to Norfolk.”
Bryony’s already lost one home to the sea, and she expects to lose another this year.
For her, that extra funding will likely come too late.
She said: “When I get up to go to the loo and look out the window, I think ‘I’m not going to have this much longer’.
“It’s quite depressing. Actually it’s seriously depressing.”
Coastal erosion is a natural process, now being accelerated by humanity’s pollution so more of us are now paying the price.
Watch the Climate Show with Tom Heap, Saturday and Sunday at 3.30 and 7.30pm on Sky News