East Suffolk Council
Council assessing situation following further erosion at Pakefield
Following further erosion to the cliffs at Pakefield over the weekend, East Suffolk Council is working to assess the situation and determine the next steps for the local community.
Officers from Coastal Partnership East and the Council’s Building Control team remain on site at Arbor Lane carrying out inspections, having been present over the weekend to cordon off areas of concern and liaise with members of the public to keep people safe.
Coastal Partnership East are reminding people to stay away from the area for their own safety.
A Coastal Partnership East spokesperson said: “For public safety and to allow the relevant teams to assess the damage, affected areas remain cordoned off. However, we have been made aware that some of the cordons have been removed and that people have been standing near to the edge of the damaged cliffs. We have also seen people hunting for fossils at the base of the cliffs. This is all incredibly dangerous as the area remains unsafe and there is the possibility of further cliff collapse.
“Please stay away from the area unless it is absolutely necessary to visit, and in the unlikely event that you do need to be in this area, please respect the cordons and avoid standing near to the edge or the base of the cliffs.
“We are continuing to work with all key agencies to assess the situation so that we can work with the community on the next steps however as always, our utmost priority is to keep people safe.”
Last week, Building Control and Coastal Partnership East oversaw the demolition of three chalets at Arbor Lane which had become at risk of being lost to shoreline degradation. The Council has supported the property owners with the demolitions including utility terminations and grant applications to avoid personal costs and keep people safe.
Following further cliff fall at the weekend, the Council’s Building Control team have advised the caravan park owners that more caravans and their bases will need to be removed from the receding cliff top.
Cllr Caroline Topping, Leader of East Suffolk Council said: “This is an upsetting situation for all concerned and I would like to express my sympathies to anyone whose property has been affected. I would like to thank our officers for responding so quickly and they are continuing to work with the local community; both to deal with the immediate impacts of this most recent incident but also on longer term options.”
Coastal Partnership East, on behalf of East Suffolk Council, has been working with the community in Pakefield since 2016 to explore the coastal management options for the whole frontage. We will continue to work closely with the community on the longer-term options for managing this part of the coast.