Sinkhole appears on coastal town's promenade

A large sinkhole has opened up on a coastal town's promenade, the local council has said.

The cavity on Hunstanton Promenade was fenced off and a spokesperson said emergency repairs would be carried out.

Sandra Squire, cabinet member for environment at the Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk, said the "recent bad weather and coastal flooding" had accelerated the road's deterioration.

Last year, the council said the promenade needed "substantial repairs" and it has been asking government for help strengthening sea defences.

"While there is no impact on local businesses or residents, a section has become unsafe for pedestrians and must be repaired urgently," Squire continued.

The stretch between the Waterside Bar and the Oasis leisure centre remained closed for safety reasons, the council said.

It received a geotechnical report last year that revealed the extent of the problems with the road.

In August, the council said more than 300 of the concrete slabs on the promenade could need replacing and a 10-tonne vehicle weight limit was imposed on the prom.

The prom surface was built in the 1950s.

About £200,000 is spent on maintaining the town's sea defences every year - they stretch one mile (1.5km) across the front of Hunstanton.

"These sea defences are nearing the end of their serviceable life," said Squire, who is an independent councillor.

"This incident further strengthens our case to national government that Hunstanton's sea defences — including the promenade deck — require significant investment, and soon."

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