Holidaymakers are evacuated after cliff collapses into the sea… leaving chalets teetering on the brink
- Holidaymakers at Pakefield Holiday Park were told to evacuate for their safety
Holidaymakers have been evacuated from a caravan park in Suffolk after part of a road collapsed, leaving caravans dangerously close to the edge.
People at Pakefield Holiday Park in Lowestoft were told to leave for their own safety after major coastal erosion caused by high tides and wind.
The Coast Guard said the beach at the bottom of Arbor Land’s steps was “largely washed away.”
Emergency services, including HM Coastguard Lowestoft and an officer from Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service, rushed to the caravan park at 9.39pm last night.
A chalet is ‘perilously close to the edge’ after major erosion in Lowesoft, Suffolk
The holiday park was evacuated last night after part of a road collapsed near the cliff edge
Local resident Clive Crossley said he is concerned they lost more than 15 feet in front of his house overnight
It happened hours after part of the road in front of the cliff top collapsed onto the beach.
The holiday park was evacuated following warnings that some caravans were ‘dangerously close’ to the cliff edge.
The coastguard said on social media last night: ‘The team were tasked this evening, along with a fire officer from the Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service, to assess the situation at Pakefield Holiday Park, Arbor Lane, as part of the road was closed this afternoon front of the caravans on the cliff crashed onto the beach below.
‘Some vans are now dangerously close to the edge and several people have been evacuated. The beach at the bottom of the steps from Arbor Lane has now been largely washed away. There is now a drop on what is left of the beach. Tonight we closed off the stairs. The relevant organizations have been informed.
‘Please do not use the stairs at Arbor Lane before the authorities have had a chance to take action. The beach there is now a dangerous place to be. Please keep your distance. DO NOT WALK PAST THE BASE OF THE CLIFFS. There are some poor quality photos attached showing how much beach has been washed away.”
Holidaymakers at Pakefield Holiday Park, run by Park Holidays, were told to leave for their own safety
Coastguards say significant damage has been caused to the Hemsby Gap area and surrounding dunes
The Coast Guard said the beach at the bottom of Arbor Land’s steps has been ‘largely washed away’
Local resident Clive Crossley said he is concerned they lost more than 15 feet in front of his house overnight.
Speaking to ITV News Agnlia, he said: ‘It’s unprecedented. It is very worrying. We don’t have time. We need to do things immediately.”
A spokesperson for East Suffolk Council said: ‘The relevant authorities are addressing the impact and the affected areas have been cordoned off while the extent of any damage is assessed.
‘Known damage affecting normal access includes the steps to the beach from Arbor Lane.
‘People are therefore asked to avoid the area and stay away from locations that may still be vulnerable. There may be debris and the possibility of further collapse and public safety is a priority.”
Coastguards say significant damage has been caused to the Hemsby Gap area and surrounding dunes.
It comes after a local rescue boat was unable to enter the water last month after two meters of coastline were lost to the sea.
Also, just up the coast in Norfolk, a road collapsed in the erosion-hit village of Hemsby.