Graham Stuart, Member of Parliament for Beverley and Holderness, in a joint letter with Councillors to Jake Berry MP, Coastal Communities Minister, have highlighted to him the importance of the South Withernsea Coastal Defence Scheme to the town.
Earlier this year East Riding Council made a multi-million pound bid to the Coastal Communities Fund for the South Withernsea Coastal Defence Scheme which would extend the barrier of rock armour by nearly 400 metres to ensure that the town is protected to its southern boundary. The plans seek to secure the future of nearly three hundred residential properties, holiday homes and holiday chalets around Newsham Gardens and Holmpton Road, which are currently threatened by cliff losses of over 6 metres each year.
With the Government’s initial decision expected shortly, the local politicians want to highlight to the Minister the importance to the town of this project and urge him to lend his support to it. If successful at the initial stage, the Council will be invited to make a full funding bid, with the final announcement expected early next year.
Graham Stuart MP said: “The residents and business owners of south Withernsea feel abandoned and uncertain, with cliff losses of between 6m and 8.5m since November 2017 increasing the risk to homes, businesses and transport links. Extending the existing sea defences southwards by 400m will ensure the town is protected to its southern boundary. This will provide certainty to the community, businesses, investors and tourists, allowing them to progress and expand with added confidence. This is why I think it’s so important we contact the Minister again, at this crucial time, with the initial decision expected shortly, to make sure he realises how essential this scheme is to the town and that we need Government support.”
Councillor Dave Tucker said: “Getting funding from the Coastal Communities Fund for this important scheme is one of the highest priorities for me and my fellow Councillors, Lyn Healing and Jack Cracknell. If the main road from Withernsea to Holmpton is allowed to fall into the sea there will be the loss of blue light services to the surrounding villages, plus the loss of infrastructure under the road – the water mains and electric and IT cables. A six mile trip into Withernsea for the shopping, or to visit the GP, will turn into a sixteen mile one. This is unacceptable to our residents, and to us. We are very pleased to join forces with Graham and write a combined letter to the Minister. I think the powerful letter will send him a strong message that the elected politicians in Withernsea are determined to see this issue resolved.”
Photo attached (L to R) Caroline Lacey, Chief Exec ERYC, Graham Stuart MP, Alan Menzies, Director of Planning ERYC
