1st August 2012

SIDMOUTH: Cliff warning

Fears of further Jurassic Coast falls following tragedy

Crowd barriers have been put in place at Sidmouth East Beach to warn people and prevent further tragedy after the fatal landslip in West Dorset last week.

East Devon District Council has taken a number of steps along the coastline, and portfolio holder for the environment, district councillor Iain Chubb, said: “We want visitors to enjoy the fabulous coastline that we have here in East Devon, especially now summer has arrived.”

“However, people need to pay attention to the signs which are in place, not access beaches where barriers have been placed and avoid getting close to the cliffs.

“The large amounts of rain we have had over the last three months have destabilised a number of the cliff faces and it can be very difficult to predict when or where the next fall will occur.”

An EDDC spokesperson added: “At Sidmouth East Beach, three falls have happened 150m to the east of the River Sid.

“Two crowd barriers have been put in place to deter people from using the beach but not close it off for people walking from Salcombe Regis.

“Following the tragic death of a woman in West Dorset and a number of cliff falls in East Devon, people are being reminded that they need to be very careful when walking or sunbathing on the stunning heritage coastline.”

Other locations affected include:

• Budleigh Salterton, East Walk: Material has fallen and covered one bench seat but has not blocked the footpath.

Contractors have remove the majority of the material and geo-consultants will be on site to carry out a full inspection and remove any dangerous material.

• Seaton, Old Beer Road: Devon County Council has closed the road and footpath.

DCC has contractors carrying out an inspection of the landslip beneath the road and EDDC have asked them to extend their inspection eastwards to the Chine Café and report back on the cliff condition.

• Seaton, West Walk: Four or five slips have occurred behind the beach huts causing them to be pushed out into the footpath.

The beach huts have been moved and the majority of the soil removed.

Geo-consultants have been asked to carry out an inspection of these cliffs and remove any dangerous material.

When the beach huts are taken away in October, a machine will be brought in to clear behind the wall so any further minor falls will not affect the huts or the footpath.

• Axmouth Harbour, National England Cliffs: Approximately 15,000 tonnes of material has fallen onto EDDC’s footpath (DCC’s Public Right of Way) and damaged 30 metres of concrete on top of the harbour way.

EDDC are in discussion with Natural England about removing the material and repairing the concrete wall.