3.8

• Where is Holderness located and what is its rate of erosion?

  Holderness stretches between Bridlington and Flamborough Head in the north and Spurn Head in the south. It is eroding at nearly 2 metres a year on average.
• What are the main geological characteristics of the Holderness coast?

  The coast is primarily made up of boulder clay, which has little resistance to erosion, leading to shallow, sloping cliffs. Chalk forms a headland at Flamborough Head, where erosion has created cliffs, arches, and stacks.
• How does fetch affect erosion on the Holderness coast?

  Holderness is exposed to winds and waves from the north-east, with a small fetch of 500-800 km across the North Sea. The waves are enhanced by factors like strong currents and low-pressure weather systems, leading to powerful destructive waves attacking the coast.
• What role does longshore drift play in the erosion of Holderness?

  Longshore drift moves sand southwards, leaving the cliffs at Holderness poorly protected against wave attack. The boulder clay erodes to produce clay particles, which are transported out to sea, further contributing to erosion.
• What sub-aerial processes contribute to erosion at Holderness?

  Freeze-thaw weathering and alternate wetting and drying of the boulder clay weaken the cliffs. Rainwater entering cracks lubricates the cliff, leading to slumping, where material slides downslope and is removed by the sea.
• What is the role of government agencies in coastal management at Holderness?

  The Environment Agency and local authorities are responsible for coastal management, although funding for these agencies has been cut, affecting their ability to manage coastal erosion effectively.
• What are the economic interests in coastal protection at Holderness?

  The tourist industry, farmers, and residents want better coastal protection, but insurance companies are increasingly refusing to insure properties in vulnerable areas due to the risk of erosion.
• What are the environmental concerns in coastal management at Holderness?

  Environmental stakeholders like English Nature and the RSPB aim to protect Spurn Head and ensure a continued flow of sand southwards by longshore drift, which is essential for maintaining the area's ecological balance.
• How does coastal management impact the beach material at Holderness?

  Coastal management structures like sea walls, rock armour, and groynes help protect areas like Hornsea but disrupt the flow of beach material by longshore drift. This leads to the beach at Mappleton being starved of material and its cliffs being exposed to more wave attack (terminal groyne syndrome).
• What are the economic and social impacts of coastal erosion in Holderness?

  The tourist industry suffers as chalets fall into the sea, reducing visitors. Around 200 homes will be lost in the next 80 years due to the coast retreating, and infrastructure will also be lost. There is no compensation for private property and land loss due to coastal erosion in England.
• What is the East Riding Coastal Change Fund?

  The East Riding Coastal Change Fund provides relocation packages to fund property demolition and some relocation costs. Adaptation packages help cover the cost of replacing property or business, and assistance grants support adapting properties at risk from future erosion.