Fears erosion repairs will leave village 'cut off'

Staithes resident Colin Harrison says it is "vital" that residents have access to and from the village while work is carried out

A village could become "isolated " while works are carried out to repair a road which is at risk of collapse due to coastal erosion, a resident has warned.

An inspection into the cliff face on Cowbar Lane, the main road into the north side of Staithes, found it was progressively eroding from waves and heavy rain.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, which will bring forward works previously scheduled for the 2030s to 2027, said it would work with the community.

Colin Harrison, who has lived there most of his life, said: "It's vital that when work is carried out that residents have access as we are small village with one road, it's one in one out."

Initial works to repair the road will cost in the region of £60,000 but could rise to about £250,000.

Cowbar Lane is the main road into the village for residents of the north side of Staithes

Rosstam Asadi, the council's transport, engineering and highways lead, said the local authority was taking the issue "very seriously".

"We're constantly carrying out surveys along the coast," he said.

"Over time, the erosion has got worse so it's vital we carry out these repairs quickly with the support of residents and we will of course work with them to ensure accessibility to peoples homes is ensured."

Rosstam Asadi, from Redcar and Cleveland Council, said erosion was a "problem"

A report from the Labour-led council said an application was being drawn up for funding from the Environment Agency for the works, which could be up to £250,000.

Mr Harrison said residents "welcome the work" if they are not "cut off" and it makes the coastline "safe".

"For people who've grown up here we've always heard about coastal erosion, let's just hope that the repairs can sure up that pinch point and fingers crossed we won't have any issues with it, in my lifetime at least," he said.

A previous council document did suggest one property in the village would have to be demolished to make way for the diversion, although that is yet to be confirmed.