The East Riding of Yorkshire Council has closed the public toilets at Mappleton beach car park, near Hornsea, due to severe coastal erosion. The decision to shut down these facilities comes after the structural integrity of the building was deemed unsafe, as it is perilously close to a deteriorating clifftop.
From Wednesday, 10th July 2024, the toilet building was fenced off, with three temporary toilets installed nearby to serve the public. This move is a stopgap measure as the council seeks a permanent solution. Councillor Barbara Jefferson, the cabinet member for heritage and coastal, emphasized the council’s commitment to maintaining public amenities. “Unfortunately, erosion has affected the structural integrity of the toilet building, so we need to close it now, much earlier than we expected,” Ms. Jefferson stated.
The toilets were initially scheduled for demolition in September, but due to the accelerated erosion rate, they will be demolished later this month. The closure has highlighted the urgent need for sustainable infrastructure along the rapidly eroding Holderness coastline, one of the fastest-eroding coastlines in Europe.
Last year, the East Riding of Yorkshire Council secured £15 million in funding to combat the effects of coastal erosion. This funding is part of a broader initiative called Changing Coasts East Riding, managed by the Environment Agency, which aims to develop more sustainable and future-proof facilities for communities like Mappleton.
The council is exploring options for new, resilient public amenities in Mappleton. The temporary toilets are a temporary fix, while long-term strategies are developed to address the ongoing challenges of coastal erosion.
As coastal communities face the realities of climate change and natural erosion, the situation at Mappleton is a stark reminder of the need for proactive and sustainable planning. The East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s efforts to secure funding and seek long-term solutions are steps in the right direction, ensuring that public facilities can withstand the tests of time and nature.
