It’s no secret that the Yorkshire Coast has been dramatically impacted by coastal erosion over the past century. We’re talking the complete loss of villages which have fallen victim to the sea, and a crumbling coastline which has required emergency sea defences to prevent the loss of further communities, such as Mappleton.
A report stated that 1,100 properties along the East Yorkshire coast could be lost to erosion by 2055, according to the BBC. The Environment Agency said if preventative measures like sea defences weren’t built it could be five times that figure. East Yorkshire Council, who believe it to be the fatest eroiding coastline in Europe, said an estimated 14ft of land was lost to sea each year. The external report used improved modelling to predict the possible impact of climate change.
If you’re an East Yorkshire native, however, you’re probably already familiar with the history, but if you’re not – the image below shows just how much of an impact coastal erosion has had on the Holderness coastline, detailing the sheer amount of communities that have been lost along the way.
The graphic outlines 35 towns and villages that have been washed away due to coastal erosion, with this particular coastline being one of Europe’s fastest eroding – claiming 2 metres each year… That’s 2 million tonnes of material washed out to sea every single year.
Check out the report that was published 17th December 2024 here.
Read more: England Is Set To Be Home To The World’s Longest Coastal Path This Year
