Neighbours on Hemsby Marrams 'stranded' after more erosion

The Marrams in Hemsby faced further destruction on Friday as tidal surges and strong winds claimed two parts of its only remaining access road. Up to 20 homes have been left with no direct entrance or exit from the area.

More than a dozen homes were also temporarily left with no running water and electricity after erosion ripped out mains and claimed utility poles.

A fallen utility pole on the eroding cliffs in Hemsby. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)Save Hemsby Coastline chairman Simon Measures, who lives on The Marrams with his wife and two dogs, said more help is needed from Great Yarmouth Borough Council (GYBC) and Coastal Partnership East.

"This is now an emergency," he said. "And we need more resources.

"The Lifeboat crew were on hand throughout the weekend, reconnecting people to the water mains. They were the ones informing people of the likely cliff collapse on Friday afternoon and helped move people's cars away from the access road."

Some vehicles have been left on The Marrams without any way of moving them. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)At 12.30pm today (November 27), a team of community marshals from GYBC visited Mr Measures to see if he required any assistance with water, heating or electricity.

"That's the first we've seen the council throughout the weekend," Mr Measures said.

"Someone needed to be down here with emergency numbers on Friday. People need to know what to do next. There are people down here with nowhere else to turn, vulnerable people.

"Coming round three days later is not good enough.

"It's an insult."

Remnants of the fallen Marrams road on Hemsby beach. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)Five neighbours along The Marrams said they hadn't been contacted by anyone from GYBC until this afternoon.

But GYBC leader Carl Smith said the council has had a presence over the weekend, by way of a resilience officer and other officers over the past three days.

"We are doing all we can," said Mr Smith.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council leader Carl Smith. Picture - Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)"As far as we were aware, there was no danger to life. And safety remains a priority.

"Today, we've got community marshals door-knocking on The Marrams with a questionnaire to see how residents get their heating - now access is gone - and various things as well.

"We've got building inspectors there looking at three properties on stilts further south."

Mr Smith said the council has also been in contact with emergency services to assess options now that access has been severely limited to the area.

The recently grafted Marrams road now falls onto the beach. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)"We are liaising with everyone down The Marrams and we'll be looking at what options there moving forward. Lots of things will be taking place over the next few days."

Mr Smith said officers will be in the area tomorrow to discuss housing options with people in permanent homes on The Marrams.

Linda Smith, who has lived on The Marrams for 19 years, said she doesn't want to move.

"Last night was the first night I've been scared living here. It's just awful," she said.

"If the rock berm had been in place, it would have saved all of this."

The stretch of rocks - installed earlier in 2023 - protected parts of The Marrams road. The unprotected southerly stretch collapsed on Friday. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)Mrs Smith was visited by the community marshals earlier today. She said other than visits from Hemsby Independent Lifeboat and Norfolk Constabulary, no one had visited over the weekend.

Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, says he feels "stranded" as his ongoing treatment for a life-threatening illness has left him barely able to walk. Since the road collapse on Friday, he has been unable to store a vehicle outside his home.

"I've not seen anyone from Thursday until this afternoon," the neighbour said.

"The council are trying to help, but what can they do?"

A road block remains in place at The Marrams' entrance. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)Graham Dawkins, who has a second home on the road, said he and his wife hadn't seen anyone other than police and Lifeboat crew over the weekend.

"We're still waiting for information on what we can do," he said.

"This is our holiday home and it's very concerning. We're about to lose our life savings, but at least we still have a home elsewhere. I feel sorry for people living in permanent homes here.

"We're expecting to be evicted, but we're in the dark."

Part of The Marrams road now hangs over the eroded cliff. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)Another neighbour, who wanted to remain anonymous, began to cry when asked about the situation.

"I'm so scared," the neighbour said.

"I've got nowhere to go. No savings. Everything I have is piled into this place."

The neighbour said they had not seen anyone from the council until today.

As more alerts for heavy rainfall, high tides and strong winds have been made for tonight, people living along The Marrams wait with bated breath to see what will happen next.

Hemsby was battered by a high tide and strong winds, with drone images showing the extent of the erosion damage. Picture - Luke Martin Photography (Image: Luke Martin Photography)