Villagers whose homes are at risk of falling into sea left stranded

Villagers whose homes are at risk of falling into the sea are left stranded after access road collapses following a land slip

  • Four properties in Hemsby were left in position following a land slip last week 

Villagers whose homes are at risk of falling into the sea yesterday accused the council of abandoning them to the elements after an access road collapsed leaving residents stranded.

Four properties in Hemsby, Norfolk were left in the dangerous position following the land slip last Friday.

And occupants said Great Yarmouth Borough Council did not send anyone to assess the damage until Monday. But it did send letters explaining how owners of properties which fall into the sea without emptying their heating oil and septic tanks could be prosecuted for causing pollution.

The houses, and another 35 nearby properties, have been left without a route for their cars or any other vehicles, including emergency services and bin lorries.

Four properties in Hemsby, Norfolk were left in the dangerous position following the land slip last Friday

The houses, and another 35 nearby properties, have been left without a route for their cars or any other vehicles, including emergency services and bin lorries

Occupants of the Marrams estate pointed out tradesmen cannot reach them to do so. Pascal Rose, 50, said: ‘I am devastated to be given this letter. I have spent all my life savings on my home – some £160,000. Now I will be left with nothing.’ Rex Millham, 88, who is disabled and has lived there for 12 years, said: ‘I am very worried as I cannot walk very far and need my car to get around.’

Residents said they would have been left without electricity and water if the ‘tireless’ local lifeboat crew had not worked to restore it. A 600ft stretch of the access road crumbled away in minutes after stormy conditions weakened the coastline.

Describing a close call he had, Simon Measures, 52, said: ‘That moment was like absolute terror because I’d been on that road in my car just ten minutes before it went.’

The area has one of the fastest eroding coastlines in Europe. Council leader Carl Smith said staff would carry out ‘targeted interventions’ for vulnerable people, including helping with shopping and medical supplies.

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