What is happening to Happisburgh’s coast?
Groynes were constructed along the shore to try to stop erosion during the 1950s. Sea defences were built in 1959 to slow the erosion. Changes in government policy mean that coastal protection in Happisburgh is no longer fundable from central government. The road ( Beach Road) that leads into the sea is being steadily eroded.
What is the history of Happisburgh?
Happisburgh Case Study. Happisburgh (pronounced “Haze-bro”) is a settlement located on the Norfolk coast, eastern England. It has a population of around 1400 people in 600 houses. Although now a coastal village, this was not always the case. When founded over 1000 years ago, there was another village separating Happisbourgh from the sea.
Why are the waves at Happisburgh so powerful?
Powerful waves – waves at Happisburgh travel long distances over the North Sea (so have a long fetch) which means they will increase in energy. Happisburgh is protected by a wooden groynes, wooden revetments (now badly damaged) and rock armour.
Where is happisbourgh?
Happisburgh (pronounced “Haze-bro”) is a settlement located on the Norfolk coast, eastern England. It has a population of around 1400 people in 600 houses. Although now a coastal village, this was not always the case. When founded over 1000 years ago, there was another village separating Happisbourgh from the sea.
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What is the problem in Happisburgh?
Happisburgh has lost land to the sea throughout the centuries. The rate of erosion has been erratic – at times large areas have disappeared overnight, and at others the cliff has remained virtually the same for some years.
Why is erosion happening in Happisburgh?
There are several reasons why the coast at Happisburgh is eroding so rapidly: Rock type – the cliffs are made from less resistant boulder clay (made from sands and clays) which slumps when wet. Naturally narrow beaches – these beaches give less protection to the coast as they don't reduce the power of the waves.
What is the future of Happisburgh?
What is the future for Happisburgh? Happisburgh is squeezed between firm defences to the north and south, a position that places even more pressure on the cliffs. It would take approximately £15million to close the gap in sea defences and protect Happisburgh.
Why is there a staircase in Happisburgh?
This staircase was installed five or six years ago to give pedestrian access to Happisburgh beach after the concrete ramp (out of shot behind the camera) was broken up by the sea. The Happisburgh lifeboat which had used that ramp had to move to Cart Gap 1.5km to the south east.
Why is Happisburgh under threat?
Coastal defences built at Happisburgh have slowed down the rate of retreat. However, large sections are now in disrepair. Sea-level rise and climate change, including increased storminess, may also increase the rate of erosion.
Will Happisburgh fall into the sea?
The English coastal town of Happisburgh is losing metres of land and entire homes to the sea every year.
How quickly is the Norfolk coast eroding?
It is thought that the village will lose around 97 metres during the next 20 years – one of the fastest eroding coastlines in Britain. In the next 30 or so years, it is also predicted that this Grade I-listed church, a 16th-century pub and many homes will be lost to the sea, as the Norfolk coast is swallowed up.
Is the Norfolk coast eroding?
The Norfolk Coast Path stretches 84 miles from Hunstanton in the west to Hopton-on-Sea and is one of the county's best-loved attractions. But gaps in the path have been gradually appearing - due to coastal erosion.
How can we stop coastal erosion?
HABITAT RESTORATION Natural coastal habitats can slow waves, reduce wave height, and reduce erosion. Healthy dunes and wetlands can provide a barrier between the water's edge and your property, creating a first line of defense. The roots of plants help stabilize sand along a beach.
How old is Happisburgh?
Happisburgh became a site of national archaeological importance in 2010 when flint tools over 800,000 years old were unearthed. This is the oldest evidence of human occupation anywhere in the UK.
Can you take dogs to Happisburgh beach?
Happisburgh. The dog friendly parts of the beach are north of the lighthouse. The sandy beach is very quiet and peaceful.
When was Happisburgh lighthouse moved?
1883 The Low Light, threatened by coast erosion was withdrawn from service and demolished. The fixed beacon of the High Light was changed to an occulting character, the light shining for 25 seconds followed by a 5 second eclipse.
Why are the cliffs of Norfolk so prone to erosion?
The soft sandstone cliff faces of Norfolk and East Yorkshire are naturally prone to erosion, having been forged from non-durable sand, silt and clay deposits left behind by the retreating North Sea glacier during the end of the last ice age, says Thomas Coulthard, professor of geology at the University of Hull.
Is the Norfolk coast eroding?
The Norfolk Coast Path stretches 84 miles from Hunstanton in the west to Hopton-on-Sea and is one of the county's best-loved attractions. But gaps in the path have been gradually appearing - due to coastal erosion.
When was Happisburgh lighthouse moved?
1883 The Low Light, threatened by coast erosion was withdrawn from service and demolished. The fixed beacon of the High Light was changed to an occulting character, the light shining for 25 seconds followed by a 5 second eclipse.
What is coastal erosion?
Coastal erosion is the process by which local sea level rise, strong wave action, and coastal flooding wear down or carry away rocks, soils, and/or sands along the coast.
What is the threat to Happisburgh?
The village in North Norfolk, has long been facing the threat of coastal erosion and climate change. In recent weeks the cliffs along the coastline have been the location of a number of landslides and cliff falls, leading authorities to issue several safety warnings. Coastal erosion at Happisburgh.
Why is Happisburgh crumbling?
The rate at which Happisburgh is being lost to the sea is increasing, but the village is not just being attacked by the waves - surface water running off the land is also causing the cliffs to crumble.
What happened to the pillbox in the cliff edge?
But the recent spate of land loss has not been caused by the sea but surface water running off the fields which has saturated the cliffs. Malcolm Kerby, one of the co-founders of the village's Coastal Action ...
Is Happisburgh on the frontline?
Mr Kerby said Happisburgh was "on the frontline of climate change" with residents facing losing their homes but like many places facing coastal erosion had been "abandoned" by government. "It's not just Happisburgh, many places around the country have been completely abandoned by central government," he said. Coastal erosion at Happisburgh.
Why is the coast of Happisburgh eroding?
There are several reasons why the coast at Happisburgh is eroding so rapidly: Rock type – the cliffs are made from less resistant boulder clay (made from sands and clays) which slumps when wet. Naturally narrow beaches – these beaches give less protection to the coast as they don't reduce the power of the waves.
Where was Happisburgh in England?
At Happisburgh in Norfolk, eastern England, the decision was to hold the line.
What is the protection of Happisburgh?
Happisburgh is protected by a wooden groynes, wooden revetments (now badly damaged) and rock armour.
Why do people live along eroding coastlines?
Social reasons – many people who live along eroding coastlines believe their safety and security must be maintained. Some people disagree with where the sea defences have been located, especially if it means the land in their community is not protected.
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Situated only 10 minutes from the market town of Stalham Sea Palling is an area of outstanding natural beauty. Stretches of fine sand create a series of shallow bays, formed by man made reefs just off the coast, providing safe swimming.
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Visit the oldest working light on the Norfolk Coast and the only independently operated lighthouse in the UK.
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Award winning beach at Mundesley in a popular traditional seaside resort. Very clean, sandy beach with very little shingle.
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There are activities for all ages at North Walsham Methodist Church. We think of ourselves as a family and want people to feel welcomed, loved & supported in the fellowship of this Church.
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Bacton beach is in a small village that sits on the Norfolk coast between Cromer and Great Yarmouth. It is a sandy beach with wooden groynes and some grass areas behind. At high tide, the beach all but disappears.
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Short but sweet, this one mile of former railway line runs from the edge of North Walsham almost to the hamlet of Knapton for an easy link to Mundesely.
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The Mundesley Maritime Museum sits on 'The Lees' overlooking the beach with spectacular views over the sea. The summer exhibition features displays on local events, history and nautical themes.
