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Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
UK seaside village vanishing into the sea and the £15m plan to tackle it
A five-year project with £15m of government funding aims to help residents impacted by the worsening threat of coastal erosion - as experts predict one seaside village will soon vanish A tiny UK seaside village famed for its rugged cliffs and sugar-like sand is in grave danger of vanishing into the sea. Since the 1990s, more than 250 metres of coastline at Happisburgh, in Norfolk, has been eroded. If it continues at this alarming rate, the village as it is now will be underwater water in just 30 years. It may sound like something out of an apocalypse film, but for residents quite literally living life on the edge - it's a terrifying reality. "What's happening in places like Happisburgh isn't just a prediction - it's a process that's already underway," explains climate analyst Dr Ian Richards. "Homes have collapsed, roads have disappeared and the cliff line is retreating faster than anyone expected." Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, a North Norfolk District Council spokesperson explained how the authority has been working tirelessly to protect the beaches and seaside communities that are threatened by erosion. Over the last 15 years, several coastal projects have sought to mitigate the worsening disaster and help locals impacted by crumbling cliffs. "The council has been working with and will continue to work with partners such as the Environment Agency and the national government to maintain sea defences where possible," they added. "Where this isn't possible or feasible, the Council has been working with coastal communities to develop, prepare, and adopt more options to help those communities impacted by coastal erosion." Coastwise - which started in 2022 and will run to 2027 as part of the Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme (CTAP) - is one of the only ongoing projects still trying to help residents adapt to the effects of erosion and climate change along a section of the North Norfolk coastline. It has received £15 million from Defra, as part of the government's £200 million innovation fund, to help 'transition and prepare' coastal communities in the area. "Coastwise will work with residents and businesses to prepare and plan for the long term," the initiative states. "Some immediate changes will support the long-term resilience of communities near the coast." These actions may include: 'Rolling back' property and facilities most likely to be affected by coastal erosion. Improving and replacing damaged community facilities like beach access or coastal transport links. Replacing public or community-owned buildings in areas at risk with removable, modular, or other building ideas. Repurposing land in coastal erosion zones for different uses, such as creating temporary car parks or restoring natural habitats. "Actions may also include working with the finance and property sectors to explore funding methods to help move communities away from fast-eroding areas," Coastwise added. "For example, schemes to encourage the relocation of at-risk infrastructure for businesses and homeowners." After the project ends, it is hoped that communities in North Norfolk feel they have a 'more sustainable future' and can access support helping them move away from risk. The initiative also aims to give the council enough resources and capability to 'assess, find funding, manage and deliver effective adaptation and transition options to its communities'. While Coastwise will not provide compensation for homes lost to erosion, it may be able to offer financial support for residents needing to transition out of the coastal erosion risk area. At the moment, there are around 600 properties in Happisburgh, homing some 1,400 people. Despite Happisburgh's bleak future, the Parish Council says tourists should 'definitely visit' the village. "It is a wonderful holiday destination with a fabulous beach and is a beautiful village," a spokesperson added. This attitude has also been adopted by locals, including Maria Jennings - a B&B owner who is confident the village's environmental challenges won't put off tourists just yet. "We know the risks, but we also know the beauty," she said. "People come here to relax, enjoy the beach and walk the coast. Most understand the situation - they just want to enjoy it while they still can."
Metro
20-05-2025
- Science
- Metro
Coastal time bomb could wipe out 800,000 years of history in Norfolk
An 800,000 year old beach on the coast of Norfolk is at risk of vanishing into the sea amid accelerating coastal erosion. Experts are predicting that Happisburgh – where around 1,400 people live – could be gone completely by 2050. The popular seaside village has already lost over 250m of coastline since the 1990s. Dr Ian Richards, a climate analyst and expert in UK coastal erosion, said the coastal erosion is already destroying the lives of some locals. He added: 'What is happening in places like Happisburgh is not just a prediction – it is a process that is already underway. 'Homes have collapsed, roads have disappeared and the cliff line is retreating faster than anyone expected.' The reason for the hasty coastal retreat is because the cliffs are made of boulder clay, which erodes very easily. Norfolk sees erosion as high as 13 feet each year on some beach fronts, which has left more than 200 villages and towns in east England at risk. Dr Richards explained: 'Sea defences were built decades ago for a very different climate. 'Now, they are no match for the pressure we're seeing year after year. And places like Happisburgh are part of our cultural heritage. 'We should visit, support the community, and learn from it – because once it's gone, it's gone.' Happisburgh became a site of national archaeological importance when flint tools from 800,000 years ago were discovered there in 2010. Two years later, early human footprints were uncovered on the beach. They were at the time the earliest evidence of human footprints outside of Africa. Now Happisburgh boasts a miles long coast which is popular with tourists, as well as the oldest working light on the Norfolk Coast. Despite the coastal erosion, many are still optimistic about the beaches future. Maria Jennings, a local B&B owner, says: 'We know the risks, but we also know the beauty. People come here to relax, enjoy the beach and walk the coast.' While one tourist, Emma Cartwright, 41 from Birmingham, said: 'We come every summer. It's beautiful and quiet – like stepping back in time. 'You're aware of the erosion but that makes you appreciate it more. We treat every trip like it might be the last.' More Trending A number of coastlines in the UK are being battered by coastal erosion. The Holderness Coastline, also made of boulder clay, is one of Europe's fastest eroding coastlines. It loses ground at a rate of around six feet per year. While many cliffs in the UK are made of boulder clay, others are composed of less risky chalk, such as the Seven Sisters cliffs in Suffolk, as well as limestone, or sandstone. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: This UK beach is 'more relaxing than the Algarve' — two hours from London MORE: 'It's very chill': Your favourite European beaches that aren't full of tourists MORE: The UK beach with 'crystal clear waters' named the best hidden coastal gem
Scottish Sun
20-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Pretty English seaside village with secluded beach that could disappear in 25 years
A SEASIDE village in the UK is at risk of disappearing for good. Happisburgh in Norfolk is known for being it's archeological importance, having the oldest known human footprints outside of Africa. Advertisement 4 Happisburgh Beach is at risk of disappearing in just a few decades Credit: Alamy 4 Some parts of the cliff have already collapsed Credit: Alamy However, it is now at risk of disappearing in the next 25 years. High levels of erosion are affecting the Norfolk coastline and nd Happisburgh in particular has been hit hard, with around 250m lost since 1990. Climate analyst Dr Ian Richards, who is an expert in coastal erosion, warned that it's disappearance is "already underway". He explained: 'What's happening in places like Happisburgh isn't just a prediction - it's a process that's already underway. Advertisement "Homes have collapsed, roads have disappeared and the cliff line is retreating faster than anyone expected." He added: "Sea defences were built decades ago for a very different climate - now, they're no match for the pressure we're seeing year after year." Back in 2012, several projects costing £3million were put towards preventing any further erosion. But this hasn't stopped a number of houses being abandoned because of the crumbling cliffs. Advertisement Yet some tourists said they will still be visiting, with one saying the beach is like "beautiful and quiet - like stepping back in time". Dr Richards also said tourists should keep visiting, adding: "Because once it's gone, it's gone." Stunning seaside village you've probably never heard of named among the best in the UK…and it's not packed with tourists The main attraction of Happisburgh is it's iconic red and white striped lighthouse, dating back to the 18th century and is one of the oldest working ones in the UK. There is also The Hill House Inn, a cosy pub and B&B near the beach, and the Happisburgh Village Shop selling souvenirs. Advertisement It's not the only part of the UK at risk of the beach disappearing. In 2024, the East Yorkshire coastline saw up to 12m of coastal erosion, an extremely high rate compared to the rest of the UK. Because of this, Barmston Beach - once a Blue Flag beach - has since seen huge parts of the seaside disappear, which has even stopped access to the beach theme park. In Southport, too much sand could also make the main beach disappear, as it could turn into inaccessible vegetation instead. Advertisement 4 Some sea defences are already in place Credit: Alamy Former Southport MP Sefton Lib Dem councillor John Pugh explained: "Nature is being allowed to take her course and that could mean the total greening of the Southport foreshore or letting it become an inaccessible mudflat plain - good for birds but not for holidaymakers." Some seaside town's have revealed major plans to reduce the rate of erosion. Blackpool is investing £30million in beach defences with new groynes on Anchorsholme Beach. Advertisement Similar plans are in place across Brighton & Hove, with the plans costing around £11million. And Yaverland on the Isle of Wight wants to raise the sea wall to also slow the rate of erosion - but will cost £40.6million.
Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Seaside village loved by British holidaymakers may vanish entirely by 2050
Happisburgh, which is on the Norfolk shore between Cromer and Great Yarmouth, has lost more than 250 metres of coastline since the 1990s, and experts are concerned Concern is growing a popular seaside village loved by British tourists will vanish entirely into the sea in less than 30 years. More than 250 metres of coastline at Happisburgh, Norfolk, has been eroded since the 1990s and experts are worried further damage is likely. Dr Ian Richards, a climate analyst and expert in UK coastal erosion, said: "What's happening in places like Happisburgh isn't just a prediction - it's a process that's already underway. Homes have collapsed, roads have disappeared and the cliff line is retreating faster than anyone expected." But tourism plays a huge part in the economy in and around Happisburgh, which is between Cromer and Great Yarmouth on the North Sea shore. Authorities have tried to manage coastal erosion with various measures to help sustain the tourism trade, such as the creation and maintenance of sea defences. Yet in recent years, some residents have had to abandon their homes due to the cliffs crumbling beneath them. The cliffs in the area are made of boulder clay which means they tend to slump when wet, increasing the risk of erosion. Maria Jennings, a local B&B owner, is confident the challenges won't put off tourists from visiting the area. She said: "We know the risks, but we also know the beauty. People come here to relax, enjoy the beach and walk the coast. Most understand the situation - they just want to enjoy it while they still can." Coastal erosion is a threat for many communities along the east coast of England. Erosion rates have also rapidly increased in Hornsea, East Yorkshire, despite the use of groynes to try to manage the situation. However, Hornsea and Happisburgh are among several popular tourist destinations along the North Sea coastline. Emma Cartwright, a 41-year-old woman who had travelled this week from Birmingham to Happisburgh, said she "appreciates it more" because of the threat of erosion. The tourist added: "We come every summer. It's beautiful and quiet - like stepping back in time. You're aware of the erosion but that makes you appreciate it more. We treat every trip like it might be the last." In some areas of Norfolk, the rate of erosion has reached over four metres per year. More than 200 villages and town in east England are thought to be at risk. Speaking to the Mail Online, Dr Richards continued: "Sea defences were built decades ago for a very different climate. Now, they're no match for the pressure we're seeing year after year. Places like Happisburgh are part of our cultural heritage. We should visit, support the community, and learn from it - because once it's gone, it's gone."
Saudi Gazette
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Almost 500 staff protest against UN budget cuts as US scales back humanitarian funds
GENEVA — Nearly 500 United Nations staff got together at a Labour Day rally in Geneva to protest against sweeping budget cuts prompted by President Donald Trump's decision to pull the US back from its position as the world's largest aid donor. "Reducing the number of UN staff means reducing the means of survival for the fight against famine, for education and for displaced families," said Ian Richards, the president of the UN Geneva staff union. The Geneva rally, held on the Place des Nations in front of the UN building, comes two days after several UN aid agencies announced they would have to slash jobs due to funding cuts, primarily from the US, warning that the reductions will severely impact aid programmes worldwide. Other bodies like the UN children's agency UNICEF, and OCHA, the humanitarian agency, have also announced or plan to announce cuts that would impact around 20% of staff and overall budgets. The cuts to the UN agencies underscore the impact of President Donald Trump's decision to severely reduce the amount the US spends on international humanitarian assistance. Trump gave billionaire tech ally Elon Musk and his new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) the power to rework the scale of the federal government, with a focus on slashing foreign assistance. Even before the administration's move, many donor nations had reduced humanitarian spending, and UN agencies struggled to reach funding goals. The World Food Programme, the world's largest humanitarian organization, received 46% of its funding from the United States in 2024 and is expected to cut up to 30% of its staff. One WFP official called the cuts "the most massive" seen by the agency in 25 years, and that as a result, operations will disappear or be downsized. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said Secretary General Antonio Guterres was "deeply troubled by the drastic funding reduction." The UN refugee agency, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), provides help to some 43.7 million refugees worldwide, along with others among the 122 million people driven from their homes by conflicts and natural disasters. The agency's head announced plans to downsize its headquarters and regional offices, aiming to reduce costs by 30% and eliminate 50% of senior-level positions. In a statement, the agency said it will "have to significantly reduce our workforce," including downsizing its headquarters and regional offices. Meanwhile, the UN children's agency, UNICEF, stated in a tatements that it projects its funding will be at least 20% lower in 2025 compared to 2024. "Hard-earned gains and future progress for children are at risk because of a global funding crisis in which some donors are sharply decreasing their financial support to UNICEF and our partners, as well as their contributions to international aid more broadly," a UNICEF spokesperson said. — Euronews
