A BULLDOZER has been brought in to tear down seaside homes after storms battered the coastline they’d sat untouched on for decades.
The devastating demolition was a hard watch for families, who have had to farewell to their beloved cottages.
Just last week owners of waterfront Happisburgh homes opened up about how they were now less than 50ft from the cliffs after wild weather battered the Norfolk coastline.
One terrified mum said: “We haven’t even got into winter, but as we’ve lost that much, we could be forced to leave in springtime or even before Christmas.
“It’s frightening.”
And today the bulldozing of five of the cottages began after they were left teetering on the edge of the cliff.
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Shocking footage and photos snapped today showed the homes on what’s known as The Marrams being reduced to rubble.
Planks of wood and shards of glass could be seen being crushed by massive machines as the colorful cottages were torn down.
It came after an access road crumbled at the end of last month, and residents became cut off.
Then, this week, Great Yarmouth Borough Council gave the demolition the go-ahead.
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The first home was ripped down today, and the works on the rest is likely to last four days as bulldozers have to work with the tide.
It came after storms Babet and Ciaran ate away at the cliffs in the autumn, and this week’s wild weather has seen swells continue to pound the coastline.
Today storms Elin and Fergus have been bringing strong 70pmh winds and heavy traffic chaos as rain lashes the country.
Just last week homeowner Nicola Bayless said she feared her three-bed semi was about to fall into the sea.
While it’s not the mum’s home that is being demolished, she feared it may soon be.
She said: “It’s heartbreaking and it’s frightening if you let it take over your mind, it can get you down mentally.
“I’m not choosing to go and find somewhere new. it’s something I’m being forced to do. I would stay here forever, but I’m not going to put myself at risk.”
‘EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TIME’
The council today said the homes were being knocked down with the owner’s permission because they were “unsafe”.
Carl Smith, leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: “While we have known for some considerable time that more properties were at risk from erosion, this remains an extremely difficult time for those people who are losing their homes.
“Our thoughts are with those affected and our staff have been working hard to provide support and welfare for those who need it.
“Unfortunately, continued erosion on this stretch of coastline is inevitable and we are working hard with our partners and other agencies to work out how we best adapt to the changing shape of our coast in the coming years.”
Earlier this year locals said they feared their seaside village would become a ghost town as a result of the erosion.
They said the constant crumbling cliffs saw the popular beach constantly shut off.
Daniel Hurd, a coxswain of Hemsby Lifeboat, called the situation in February “horrendous”.
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He said at the time: “We knew we were going to get some washed away this year but now the beach is going to have to stay shut permanently.
“Unless the authorities get the ball rolling, we’re probably looking at another 20 years before the beach opens.”
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Jane Matthews
