Erosion: Taking a Stroll with The Mayor of Seaham

These cliffs are shedding sediments all the time - as a habitat it is constantly changing

“I’m concerned about the cliffs! Have you seen them lately?” I love my time with Seaham town council, but questions like this come so often and it makes me sad.

Have you seen our cliffs, built up from a the beautiful magnesium limestone coral formation lying beneath a muddy sediment left behind from the glacial period. It’s a perfect structure to rapidly erode in our changing climate.

First we have increased rain, soaking down through the soils and clay. This loosens the top layers and allows them to side about on top of the limestone. This eventually lets go of its hold and gravity pulls it down onto the beach.

Second we have the increased number of storms and huge powerful seas creating magnificent photos as waves crash over the pier and lighthouse. Our beautiful limestone cliff base is a soft stone that is easily eroded, the power of the waves are battering the cliffs creating caves and overhangs. Structures that are unsuitable for continued battering.

Land slides are terrifying things blocking caves and tunnel where kids play and swimmers often build fires and snuggle down to warm up. Sadly they are now safe places, it’s only a matter of time before a tragedy strikes.

"these are not safe to play in"

Errosion is becoming topic of great concern to our local residents, with the collapse of the promenade and the cliff collapse caught on camera this week. So the social media have gone wild with "it must be reported" and "what can we do", but no one has suggested "how do we keep our children safe from future collapse", Durham Heritage coast and Durham county council look after these to sections of coast and the promenade is looking well following their efforts towards the ongoing repairs.

.