Sunday 9th March 2025 - Promenade Closure

It’s a job to know where to start, with the latest on the slump on the promenade.  I will try to be concise as possible, at the same time including the relevant facts, to update those who are not on Facebook.

Last Thursday, I received a reply to my email to Coastal Management, which I included in my blog for 5th March.  The reply was as follows:-

Unfortunately, regarding the knotweed, this is a considerable problem which makes what would otherwise be a relatively simple solution, namely, removal of the material elsewhere, into a much more expensive and time-consuming process.

We are currently exploring options within the council as to the best way of dealing with this plant and the cliff material it is embedded within.

I have concluded from this, NNDC are adopting a do nothing approach about clearing the material.  We’ve heard, from a villager, what they’ve been told happened to the material from an earlier slump in the same area.  This was moved to the east end of the promenade last year and then a few weeks ago taken away.  It was transported to Peterborough who refused to take it.  After this it went to Leicester who accepted and incinerated it.  I know no more than this.

On Friday NNDC closed the section of the promenade where the slump has come down from below the Sea Marge, see photo below.  They have bolted railings to the promenade and attached these to the railings running along the edge of the promenade.  Behind these they have used cable ties to fix sections of barricade, to stop people climbing through.  Despite this, a village resident observed seven people climbing over and into the closed section.

Passage is still possible along the beach, except obviously at high tide.  However, one of the succession of steps does not lead all the way up from the beach.  You first need to tackle an approximate eight-foot climb onto the concrete apron to access the recently repaired steps.  More steps, further east, have been blocked off since last year. What I am saying is, there is no easy way off the beach so you probably need to walk right the way along, from end to end.

The BBC have picked up on the closure and to me, their report tends to indicate, nothing is going to be done any time soon to resolve the situation.  Here is the link to their online report .

The County Council, who manage the Coast Path have posted the following on their website:-  OVERSTRAND Due to a cliff fall onto the promenade we are advising walkers to avoid this section of the path. Please follow the maps and diversion signs on site. If you would like to take a look at their site to view other path closures, here is the link.  Many thanks to Peter for finding this information for me.  I have looked at their online map and there is nothing to indicate a diversion from the promenade.  However, as it is the weekend, and they may have not had the time to complete the map update, I will check again during the coming week and advise if there any changes.  Those who have purchased a hard copy of the walk will not be aware of the diversion and therefore, signage needs to be posted to avoid walkers having to retrace their steps and find their own alternative route.  We have checked for signage in the village but there is nothing, maybe these will follow next week.  I should add, that signage needs to be erected in Cromer and Mundesley too.

On Facebook, I provided the contact details for Coastal Management at NNDC, our District and Parish Councillor and the Parish Council, for anyone who wants to email them with their concerns, apply pressure to get the promenade opened again etc.  I have listed these below.

Coastal Management at NNDC email - Coastal.Management@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Angie Fitch-Tillet - Poppyland District Councillor (and also Overstrand Parish Councillor) - email angie.fitch-tillett@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Overstrand Parish Council - they will probably say this is outside their responsibility but they should act on behalf of parishioners and pass on concerns - you can contact the clerk via the Parish Council's website also on this page is a link to Parish Councillors https://www.overstrandparishcouncil.org.uk/contact-us/

Apologies for such a lengthy blog, but I want as many as possible to be aware of the current situation which let’s face it, is nothing short of farcical.  One other thing has just come to mind, the report I was supposed to receive last week, including the Parish Council, has yet to materialise.