A coastal road in North Yorkshire has been declared “at immediate risk of collapse,” prompting urgent plans to divert it years earlier than expected. Cowbar Lane, which runs close to near-vertical Jurassic cliffs in Cowbar, near Staithes, has been increasingly threatened by erosion caused by waves and heavy rainfall.
A report for Redcar and Cleveland Council said the cliff face beside the road had been progressively weakened, “triggering slips and landslides,” and warned that continued deterioration could soon make the route impassable. Originally, work to realign the road was scheduled for the early 2030s, but updated safety advice has led to phase one of the project being brought forward to 2027.
The report stated: “We now need to proceed at pace with the design of the realigned road and associated activity.” It described the scheme as a “managed retreat,” with the new route shifting the road further inland from the eroding cliff edge. The project is expected to take place in three phases over a 50-year period.
Cowbar Lane is vital for access to several properties, including cottages, an RNLI lifeboat station and a Yorkshire Water pumping station. The report warned that if the current road were to collapse, it would leave no viable access routes, forcing the abandonment of nearby homes and facilities.
Erosion at Cowbar has been an ongoing issue for decades, but recent rockfalls have intensified concerns. One significant collapse last year accelerated discussions about the long-term safety of the area. The location, adjacent to the Cleveland Way coastal path, is popular with walkers and tourists who enjoy views of Cowbar Nab and the surrounding cliffs.
The council’s cabinet has approved the appointment of engineering consultancy AtkinsRealisUK to oversee the design and planning of the road realignment. An application for up to £250,000 in funding from the Environment Agency is being prepared to support the project.
The council confirmed that one property may need to be demolished to make way for the diverted road but said the work would help maintain access and ensure the continuity of National Cycle Network Route 1, which follows the same coastal stretch.
Officials said the project must move forward quickly to prevent a repeat of coastal disasters like the 1993 Holbeck Hall Hotel landslide in Scarborough, where severe erosion caused a major collapse into the sea.
