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Insight Horizon Media

How is the Holderness coastline being managed?

Author

Rachel Hickman

Published Feb 26, 2026

How is the Holderness coastline being managed?

Management strategies Bridlington is protected by a 4.7 km long sea wall. Hornsea is protected by a sea wall, groynes and rock armour. Coastal management at Withersea has tried to make the beach wider by using groynes, and also uses a seawall to protect the coast. Spurn Head is protected with groynes and rock armour.

What is the problem with the Holderness coast?

The erosion of the Holderness coast was identified by the Royal Commission of 1906–1911 as the most serious around the coast of the British Isles. Significant factors in coastal erosion include the structure of the cliffs, beach, and sea bed; the tidal range; currents; onshore winds; and storm surges.

Why does Holderness coast need protecting?

Advantages – Protects the base of cliffs, land and buildings against erosion. Over time the wall may begin to erode. The cost of maintenance is high. Advantages = Prevents the movement of beach material along the coast by longshore drift.

How has human activity positively impacted the Holderness coast?

Overall, human activity has had a positive impact on the Holderness Coast, as it provides income and employment. However, coastal management has had a severe impact on small villages such as Great Cowden, as defences have trapped sediment causing further erosion.

What is a Shoreline management Plan?

A Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) is a strategy for managing flood and erosion risk for a particular stretch of coastline, over short, medium and long-term periods. They also identify opportunities where shoreline management can work with others to make improvements.

What is Holderness coastline?

The Holderness coast is located on the east coast of England and is part of the East Riding of Yorkshire; a lowland agricultural region of England that lies between the chalk hills of the Wolds and the North Sea. Figure 1. The Holderness Coast is one of Europe’s fastest eroding coastlines.

Why is the Holderness coastline changing?

The Holderness Coast is one of Europe’s fastest eroding coastlines. The average annual rate of erosion is around 2 metres per year. The main reason for this is because the bedrock is made up of till (soft clay). Since Roman times, the Holderness Coast has retreated 4 km – at least 29 villages have been lost to the sea.

What is a Holderness coastline?

The Holderness Coastline is in the North of England and runs between the Humber Estuary in the south and a headland at Flamborough head. It has the unenviable reputation as the number one place in Europe for coastal erosion, and in a stormy year waves from the North sea can remove between 7 and 10m of coastline.

How has the Holderness coastline changed over time?

Under lying the Holderness Coast is bedrock made up of Cretaceous Chalk. However, in most place this is covered by glacial till deposited over 18,000 years ago. It is this soft boulder clay that is being rapidly eroded. There are two main reasons why this area of coast is eroding so rapidly.

What are the 4 Shoreline management Plans?

Our coastline is covered by four Shoreline Management Plans; which are the second generation of plans; all were approved by the Environment Agency by 2010:

  • Medway Estuary and Swale (2008)
  • Isle of Grain to South Foreland (2008)
  • South Foreland to Beachy Head (2006)
  • Beachy Head to Selsey Bill (2006)

Who makes Shoreline management Plan?

Shoreline management plans are developed by Coastal Groups with members mainly from local councils and the Environment Agency. They identify the most sustainable approach to managing the flood and coastal erosion risks to the coastline in the: short-term (0 to 20 years)

Why is the Holderness coastline eroding so rapidly?

There are two main reasons why this area of coast is eroding so rapidly. The first is the resuly of the strong prevailing winds creating longshore drift that moves material south along the coastline. The second is that the cliffs are made of soft boulder clay which erodes rapidly when saturated.