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Coastal Erosion Figures Show up to 8m of Cliff Loss on Parts of the Yorkshire Coast

Monday, 18 March 2024 06:15

By John Clayton

Climate change is having an impact on Coastal erosion on the Yorkshire Coast.

The latest figures show that there has been an increase in the rate of coastal erosion over the last 10 years with coastal towns including Bridlington, Hornsea and Withernsea showing varying degrees of erosion.

More frequent and heavier storms are accelerating the fall of waterlogged cliffs into the sea. Increased storms are also affecting the sea which then lashes against the base of the cliffs, weakening the structures still further.

Richard Jackson is the East Riding's Coastal Change Manager, he says the data shows increasing erosion rates for the East Riding.

The latest data shows parts of the East Yorkshire Coast are receding by up to eight meters a year.

Studies conducted in autumn 2022 and spring 2023 showed that erosion losses recorded over this period were generally slightly above average rates, however large regional differences were recorded,with some locations seeing negligible erosion and other areas experiencing significant losses.

Locations that saw higher than usual erosion include Fraisthorpe, Ulrome, south of Hornsea and areas to the south of Withernsea which continued to experience rapid coastal erosion, consistent with that seen over the past 10 years.

Richard Jackson is East Riding Council's Coastal Change Manager he says there are already projects underway to provide advice to communities and businesses.

Cliff Erosion Losses March 2022 to April 2023

Location Average
erosion
rate since
1989		 Cliff losses March
2022 to Oct 2022		 Cliff losses Oct 2022
to April 2023		 Length
of coast
Withernsea to
Holmpton		 4.27m/yr Substantial losses of
between 4 and
8m over full length		 Substantial losses of
between 4 and 8m over
full length		 3.85km
MOD
Cowden to
Monkwith		 2.70m/yr Average erosion rate
with a few larger losses
up to 6m		 Average erosion rate
with a few larger losses
up to 6m		 10.72km
Hornsea to
MOD Cowden		 2.31m/yr Minimal losses High erosion rate
through frontage,
numerous losses up to
8m		 5.40km
Kilnsea to Spurn 2.13m/yr Minimal to normal
erosion rates for the
area		 Approx. 5.5m lost over
full frontage		 0.65km
Tunstall to
Waxholme		 1.97m/yr Minimal to no losses Average erosion rate
with a few larger losses
up to 4m		 2.50km
Monkwith to
Tunstall		 1.88m/yr Average erosion rate Average erosion rate
with numerous isolated
losses between 5 and
8m		 1.50km
Waxholme /
north
Withernsea		 1.61m/yr Average erosion rate Average erosion rate
with several larger losses		 1.0km
Easington to
Kilnsea		 1.53m/yr Minimal to normal
erosion rates for the
area		 Minimal to normal
erosion rates for the
area		 4.56km
Barmston to
Ulrome		 1.33m/yr Minimal to no losses Minimal to no losses 2.15km
Holmpton to
Easington		 1.26m/yr Minimal to average
erosion rate		 Average erosion rate
with several larger losses
up to 8m		 4.05km
Ulrome /
Skipsea		 1.20m/yr Average erosion rate
with several larger
losses up to 4m. No
change at Green Lane		 Average erosion rate
with several larger losses
up to 6m. No change at
Green Lane		 3.75km
Fraisthorpe to
Barmston		 1.13m/yr Average erosion rates Average erosion rates 2.61km
Skipsea to
Hornsea		 0.95m/yr Minimal to no losses Average erosion rate 6.18km
Flamborough to
Fraisthorpe		 0.50m/yr Minimal to no losses Several large losses at
Fraisthorpe, up to 4m		 25.0 km

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