Here in Whitby we live on the wild side when it comes to coastal hazards:

  • rock falls from cliffs
  • landslips
  • coastal erosion
  • flooding
  • water quality
  • safety of piers and harbour installations, flood defences, etc.

Are we confident our town council (and their overlords) are up to tackling the issues? Are sufficient funds being made available? Are they being spent wisely? Or are there higher priorities?

What with rising sea-levels due to climate change, these issues won’t go away – indeed they will get worse. Are they being given the priority they deserve – by local, regional and national government?

These are important questions we Whitby residents frequently ask ourselves, especially when disaster strikes – as it has in the last two decades with little or no warning.

Cambridge University researcher Orlane Vanmarcke has put together a questionnaire to gauge the perception of these issues in Whitby and other coastal towns, and make recommendations. She is inviting respondents. You can see and complete her questionnaire at this link: https://forms.office.com/e/Wqm8RFgy2C .

I’m sure we all have opinions on the matter and I recommend members and visitors to our website to take this opportunity to submit them.