by Tim Nuttall
Residents of south-east Holderness are invited to contribute to a project aiming to tackle the impacts of coastal erosion in the East Riding.
The Changing Coasts East Riding (CCER) initiative seeks to prepare communities for the challenges posed by the region’s dynamic coastline by developing management strategies to address coastal change.
Forthcoming workshops in Holmpton, Withernsea and Easington will bring together community members, local experts and stakeholders to explore the impacts of coastal erosion, rising sea levels and climate-related changes. Up for discussion will be their environmental impact and how such changes affect local homes and livelihoods.
The first workshop will take place at Holmpton Village Hall next Tuesday, May 20, between 10am and midday. This will be followed on Wednesday, May 21, with an evening session at East Riding Leisure Withernsea, running between 5.30pm and 7.30pm. Finally, Easington Community Hall will host a workshop between 1pm and 3pm on Thursday, May 22.
A spokeswoman for the project said: “Coastal change is not just a future concern, it’s happening now. Open dialogue and collaborative planning are critical to ensuring that our communities, ecosystems and infrastructure can adapt and thrive. Your voice is an essential part of that conversation. Let’s work together to shape a sustainable future for our coastline and proactively plan for a more resilient future.”
For further information, or to book a place, email [email protected] or call 01482 395320. Refreshments will be provided free of charge.
In certain circumstances, free assistance with travel to and from the workshops may also be available. Anyone requiring transport should make this known at the time of booking.
Delivered by East Riding Council, CCER is part of a nationally funded initiative through the Coastal Transition Acceleration Programme (CTAP), funded by Defra and managed by the Environment Agency.
Over the next 100 years it is predicted that significant parts of the East Riding coast will be eroded, putting homes, businesses and infrastructure at risk. This will affect people who live and work on the coast, as well as leisure users.
The CCER project seeks to explore a range of options and create long-term strategies to help communities prepare for and respond to coastal change. It is an opportunity to take action and ensure that the East Riding can adapt to inevitable changes, enabling its coastal communities to continue to thrive.
Key actions include exploring funding options and encouraging collaboration to gain a clearer understanding of current and future coastal changes.
This will involve identifying and exploring the relocation of at-risk community assets, and building local expertise by working with universities, schools and experts to develop the knowledge and skills needed to support long-term planning.
In 2023, East Riding Council secured £15 million in funding to help communities and businesses respond to the impacts of coastal erosion, both now and in the future, through the CCER project.