The Study of Coastal Erosion on the Happisburgh Coast

Abstract

Happisburgh is a small village located in the county of Norfolk, which is situated in the East of England, one of the 9 regions of England. Recently a collection of flint tools has been unearthed in this community that are dated to be over 800 00 years old making this the earliest sign of occupation in the United Kingdoms. While this parish originally was a safe and decent distance from the coast line, coastal erosion has caused the town to be in danger. There are accounts in the history of Happisburgh which indicate that between the years of 1600 and 1850, more than 820ft of land have been eroded and swept away. This means that while the town’s area is currently around 117 ft2, the number continues to decline with the wave and wind erosion that is occurring. In 1953 the area was hit with the East Coast flood which claimed the lives of over 300 people, 76 which were Norfolk inhabitants. Due to the receding coast line the village was more vulnerable to the treacherous weather. In 1959, timber defences were installed to help prevent another tragedy of this magnitude, but this was not intended to be a long term solution to the diminishing coastline. For this reason the Coastal Concern Action Group (CCAG) was formed in 1998 to try to come up with solutions. There have been many ideas brought up but very little has come to fruition when it comes to permanent resolutions. The following paper will highlight the benefits of providing protection to this village and how it can aid other areas of the country, a brief project description, the challenges that have stopped any permanent solutions from occurring, and why coastal erosion is an issue and possible ways the problem can be solved