A temporary defence against coastal erosion at Hemsby will be built this year after a successful funding bid.
The money, which has been secured by Coastal Partnership East (CPE), will be used to buy a small amount of rock for reducing the risk of erosion to the most vulnerable part of the access road at The Marrams.
The stones will be bought in Cornwall before being transported on barges and placed on the beach.
Sharon Bleese, one of the coastal managers at CPE, said it is hoped the interim works - similar to an intervention carried out at Pakefield in Lowestoft in 2021 - will take place this year.
Ian Brennan, of the campaign group Save Hemsby Coastline, said the project is a start but "nowhere near the full length" of the long-awaited rock berm.
That proposal, which was granted planning permission last year by Great Yarmouth Borough Council (GYBC), could see a sea defence built along a stretch of the beach to help slow down the rate of erosion.
Mr Brennan speculated that the rocks used for the interim works could then be repositioned for the berm.
"The price of rock, like everything, is hit by inflation, so getting rock on the beach that can be reused is a hedge against that," he said.
Councillor Paul Wells, chair of GYBC's environment committee, said: “Great Yarmouth Borough Council are delighted that a funding package has been pulled together which we hope will enable important interim works take place at the most vulnerable area of the access road at The Marrams.
“This will provide some protection from erosion whilst we continue to work hard to raise funds for a wider scheme."
Local campaigners are hoping the final pieces of the puzzle for the more extensive rock berm will fall into place this year.
In August, the borough council lodged an application with the Marine Management Organisation for a licence to carry out works on the rock berm.
Mr Brennan said: "We're ten years into this now. It's 10 years since the storm surge of 2013.
"I do feel some hope but I still feel nervous because we could get planning permission but might not have enough money."
The berm could cost up to £9m.
Once funded, construction is expected to take 30 weeks.
Beach loses 'one metre of material'
James Bensley, borough and county councillor for Hemsby, said that in the weeks leading up to Christmas a lot of material was lost from the gap area of the beach.
"This has a negative effect on our amazing lifeboat team being able to launch," he said.
He said the beach in that area overall is in "an unhealthy condition".
Mr Bensley said: "Some of the long beach entrances along the beach to the north from Hemsby have suffered from loss and that in turn has made it hazardous to walk near and gain access to the valley.
"In some places the loss of material must be well over a metre in depth."
Mr Bensley also warned visitors to be careful when walking near both the base and the top of the dunes, as the landscape is always evolving.
"Please do not approach the edge and do respect your surroundings when enjoying our fantastic coast," he said.
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