Millions needed to shore up prom to protect seaside town from flooding
West Norfolk Council says test pits dug along Hunstanton Prom have revealed areas of its foundations are now at risk of being undermined.
It is because changing offshore currents which have washed sand and shingle away from the base of the revetment exposing it to the tides.
A graphic showing areas of Hunstanton which could be at risk of flooding if the Prom is not repaired (Image: West Norfolk Council) If nothing is done swathes of the seafront could be at risk of flooding by 2060 as sea levels rise and storm surges become more frequent.
At a briefing on Thursday (August 7) officials said sheet piling would be needed to prevent "structural failure" along sections of the defences in front of The Oasis, the Rock Shop ramp and North Prom.
Pictures showing how sand has been washed away from the base of the defences (Image: West Norfolk council) Dave Robson, the council's environmental health manager, said: "It's not hazardous at the moment but if the beach drops any more it could reveal soft ground underneath, which could lead to the risk of undermining."
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Waves crash onto the Prom at Hunstanton during a high tide (Image: Chris Bishop) Some 338 of the concrete panels which form the promenade's deck will also need to be replaced.
Mr Robson said the concrete was 70 years old and in "poor condition" and new panels would need to be installed.
Looking south along the Prom at Hunstanton (Image: Chris Bishop) He said drawing up plans for the work could take up to two years, while the cost would not be known until a detailed design had been agreed.
The council hopes it would be funded by the Regional Flooding and Coastal Committee, which allocates flood defence funds provided by central government.
Test pits were dug along the Prom to investigate the state of the defences (Image: Chris Bishop) "It's going to be multiple millions," said Mr Robson. "It's not going to be a couple of hundred thousand."
A 10-tonne weight limit and 5mph speed limit will also be brought in along the Prom from September until repairs have been carried out.
A smaller bin lorry has been drafted in to empty bins along the Prom.
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