Tuesday 18 November at
10.00 in Room 6, Palace of Westminster 
Coastal communities facing the risk of collapse from cliffs worn
away by waves, weather and rising sea levels, will be considered
in evidence to the Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs
Committee on Tuesday.
Coastal erosion is a natural process of loss of land on the coast
by removal of sediment on the coastline. Rates of coastal erosion
vary but areas with softer, sedimentary rocks are the most
vulnerable.
This includes Norfolk, Suffolk and Yorkshire, where the coastline
is creeping inland, causing distress and anxiety to residents.
Written evidence to the inquiry has revealed the depth of despair
felt by communities and individuals. Recent news coverage has
followed developments in the coastal villages of Happisburgh,
Thorpeness and Cowbar.
Landslides also represent a considerable challenge for
communities in hilly or mountainous areas as well as on the
coast. Heavy rainfall, associated groundwater changes, geology
and human land use are often the cause, with similarly
devastating results. For example, insurance is proving expensive
and difficult to secure, with incidents prompting blanket
increases for communities on the Isle of Wight.
The Committee will hear from a range of councils facing different
challenges related to coastal erosion and landslides and seek to
understand the remit and range of their work. On the second
panel, MPs will question those with direct responsibility for
planning and implementing government policy. Defra has national
responsibility for policy on Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk
Management, assisted by responsible bodies such as the
Environment Agency.
Witnesses on 18 November:
Panel 1, in public, at 10.00:
- Natasha Dix, Service Director for Waste, Environment and
Planning, Isle of Wight Council
- Rob Goodliffe, Coastal Transition Manager, North Norfolk
District Council
-
, Principal Sustainable
Development Officer, East Riding of Yorkshire Council
- Karen Thomas, Head of Coastal Management, East Suffolk
Council
Panel 2, in public, at 11.10:
- Julie Foley, Director of FCERM Strategy and Adaptation,
Environment Agency
- Jaap Flikweert, Coastal representative, Anglian Eastern RFCC,
and Flood and Coastal Management Advisor, Haskoning
