HISTORIC landmarks could disappear off the map in years to come due to coastal erosion.

The 39 “at risk” sites outlined in the English Heritage North West Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey include a pre-historic site at Eskmeals and the Ravenglass Roman fort. St John’s Church at Waberthwaite, the motte and bailey remains of the medieval Aldingham castle and quarries at Baycliff and Greenodd are also said to be at risk in the long-term.

The remains of Aldingham castle, believed to date back to the 12th Century, sit on the cliffs overlooking the sea. Robert Wheatley, of Baycliff and chairman of Aldingham’s St Cuthbert’s Church restoration committee, is well aware of the coastal erosion at that point. He said: “All along the coastline where the motted castle was, the erosion is quite bad and along by the church and just after it is terrible.

“Huge pieces of land have just fallen into the sea and it looks quite horrific.

“Obviously if landmarks like those were to disappear, it would be a disaster. The church wall for defence against the sea was built in 1828. “It’s getting a battering and becoming rather vulnerable.

“Here at Baycliff, right along the coastline, it is amazing how, over the last few years, the land has fallen away into the sea. And there are literally dozens of huge pieces, not small ones. It’s always on our [church restoration committee’s] mind and it’s always a worry and to repair the sea wall would require an awful lot of money, which I believe should be grant-aided taking into account the church is Grade II* listed.”

The Rev Anne Baker, vicar at Waberthwaite’s St John’s Church, which is believed to date back to Norman times, said: “A few years ago when we had a bad storm, some trees were blown down and one just missed the church by a hair’s breadth and some of the banking was eroded then. But there is no sign of any imminent danger in that respect. I suppose the question is: is there anything we can do in the present to lessen the chance of that happening? The church has stood there, almost as it is now, for almost the last 1,000 years and it would be a great shame for it to come to any harm.”

Story in the North West Evening Mail

Visit the English Heritage website to access Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Surveys