(Image credit: Terry Bearpark)
Graham Stuart, MP for Beverley and Holderness, this week held discussions with representatives from Natural England and East Riding Council, to press Natural England for its support for the proposed 400m extension to Withernsea’s rock armour defences.
This proposed protection is vital for securing the futures of the Holmpton Road and Hollym Road areas and will protect businesses and homes. The road is also crucial for blue light services getting to the villages south of Withernsea as increased coastal erosion could pose a serious risk to its future.
Graham said, “I have worked closely with East Riding Council officers and the Conservative councillors in South East Holderness over the last few years to try and push this critical protection over the line. I know my constituents are alarmed about the creeping coastal erosion and time is of the essence if we are to do something to stop it. We are through to the second stage of an ERDF funding application which, if successful, will provide £3m towards the £5.5m scheme, with ERYC providing the balance.
“I understand Natural England has concerns that the protections will affect sediment flow to the Humber, but following our discussions I hope they have a deeper understanding that the proposed scheme is critically important for the future of Withernsea and the surrounding area, and that their support at the planning stage is important.
“I have worked hard to secure ministerial backing for this scheme, and was delighted the Northern Powerhouse Minister, Jake Berry MP, visited us at the end of last year to see the proposed scheme for himself. Impressed with what he saw, he subsequently put the scheme forward for ERDF funding. Given the importance of this project I have written to the minister again immediately to raise the concerns the councillors and I have that Natural England may not fully appreciate that its objection over possible environmental impact is insignificant when compared to the devastating effects the loss of the road would have on the community.
“I will continue to work alongside the tireless East Riding councillors, Lyn Healing, Dave Tucker and Paul Whitehead, to back this scheme. The councillors know they have my full support at government level and I continue to lobby my ministerial colleagues at every opportunity to bang home to them why we need this project.”
Cllr Dave Tucker said “The proposed scheme to protect homes and businesses to the south of Withernsea with rock armour is vital. We councillors have been working very hard with council officers to get the project across the line. Natural England’s reluctance to support the scheme at the planning stage is worrying and it’s great we’ve got Graham on our side and that he’s taken the time this week to talk to Natural England.”
