holderness

• Holderness coast


  • Located in north-east England
  • One of fastest eroding coastlines in Europe, loses average of 2 metres per year
  • Made of soft boulder clay, easily eroded
  • Strong prevailing winds create longshore drift moving material south
• Large areas of Holderness coast (e.g. Hornsea, Bridlington) at threat from erosion, putting businesses and homes at risk
• Coastal erosion threatening to damage farmland and infrastructure including roads and gas terminal
• Coastal management schemes used in Holderness

  1. £2 million spent on rock armour and groynes at Mappleton in 1991

  2. 4.7km sea wall built in Bridlington
• Coastal management schemes have protected key areas

  But only most valuable locations protected, leaving large areas vulnerable
• Groynes at Mappleton have prevented sediment movement


  Increased erosion and land loss further south
• Unprotected areas eroding quicker than protected areas


  Causing bays and headlands to form, making headlands more exposed and difficult to protect