Hunstanton Promenade Collapse: Emergency Repairs Begin

Emergency works to repair Hunstanton's promenade will begin on Monday, February 2026, following the discovery of a significant void beneath the walkway. The 140m stretch between the Waterside Bar and Oasis leisure centre has been closed since the void was found after part of the promenade collapsed on February 5, 2026. This collapse was attributed to high tides and strong winds that washed away beach material from the base of the sea wall.

Council officials identified the damage when a sinkhole appeared, leading to surveys that revealed a void measuring 3.5m deep and up to 14m wide. The urgent repairs, expected to take at least two weeks, will involve installing sheet piling at the sea wall's base and filling the void with concrete. These repairs are separate from a larger, long-term project to rebuild the town's coastal defences, as initial surveys in August 2025 had already indicated the promenade surface was nearing the end of its life and sections of the sea wall were at risk.

Councillor Sandra Squire emphasized the importance of maintaining coastal defences in light of the powerful winter storms. The repairs, conducted during daylight hours, are intended to restore safety to the promenade, which dates back to the 1920s with its surface constructed in the 1950s. The Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk is overseeing the emergency work.