(Image credit: Terry Bearpark)
After being invited by Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart, today the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Minister for Local Growth and the Northern Powerhouse Jake Berry MP visited Withernsea. The Minister was visiting so that he could see the effects coastal erosion is having on coastal communities like Withernsea and also how it is a big concern for businesses such as Golden Sands Holiday Park.
With the support from local councillors and Graham Stuart MP East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) has submitted a bid to the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government (DHCLG) for £5 million of funding from the Coastal Communities Fund (CMF). This fund is to help those at risk communities pay for new coastal defences to slow and/or stop the effects of coastal erosion.
If successful, ERYC’s application for £5 million would extend Withernsea’s current ‘rock armour’ defences by 400m. This would: extend existing protections, protect up to 110 residential properties, 230 holiday chalets and 75 static caravans and also extend the life of key infrastructure such as Holmpton Road and Hollym Road.
Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart commented: “I am pleased my colleague Jake Berry could visit Withernsea today; it was so important for him to see the effects that coastal erosion is having on Withernsea and other communities up and down the English coastline.
“I am in constant communication with local residents who live along the affected coastline and who are at real imminent risk of losing the properties they have worked hard to make a home.
“ERYC’s preferred plan of £5 million of Government investment is absolutely critical for our area. The funding would extend the current 100m of ‘rock armour’ defences by a further 400m and help protect hundreds of properties. Each day more and more private property and businesses are being put at risk due to the ever increasing erosion of our coastline.
“Jake is an able Minister and was very receptive to the concerns of ERYC officials, local business owners and South East Holderness Councillor Dave Tucker.
“This is, of course, an ongoing campaign and we are awaiting the Government’s decision on whether ERYC’s application will advance to the next stage. However, I want to assure all in Withernsea that I will continue to work with ERYC and South East Holderness councillors to campaign for this essential funding: we will leave no stone unturned.
“We must do all we can to stop the effects of coastal erosion on Withernsea”.
(Image credit: Terry Bearpark)
