UK council closes off entire clifftop at tourist hotspot over fears of imminent landslide collapse

Footage shows a huge landslide on Bournemouth's West Cliff with trees, mud and other debris crashing down to the promenade below forcing the council to close off the cliff area

A massive chunk of cliff came crashing onto a busy promenade at a holiday hotspot - forcing the seaside council to close off the area completely.

There are fears that another landslide is imminent after a large part of the 120ft cliff on Bournemouth's West Cliff slid down to the promenade on October 19. The huge fall of of mud, trees and other debris took out 14 wooden beach huts that stood at the bottom of the cliff.

Now, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council has fenced off a several hundred yard stretch of clifftop which is used for parking to prevent a tragedy. Video of the landslip showed a dog walker having to run for cover as the shrubbery came tumbling down the gorse cliff.

The dog walker was unsighted by the huts and just evaded them as they were propelled into the promenade, a popular walking spot. The landslides are believed to have been caused by heavy recent rockfall eroding the unstable cliffs. BCP Council said these measures will 'ease the weight load immediately above the landslide site'.

Councillor Richard Herrett, portfolio holder for destination, leisure and commercial operations at BCP Council, said that an assessment is now underway with the aim of making the area safe. He said: "In the interests of public safety, following the cliff slip at West Cliff last week, our teams are taking several precautionary measures whilst careful assessments of the area continue.

"These measures include leaving the debris from the original slip in place at the base of the cliff to help prevent potential further movement. To ease the weight load immediately above the site, and to provide space for further investigations and surveys, a temporary traffic regulation order (TTRO) has been implemented along St Michael's Road which suspends parking on the southern stretch closest to the cliff edge.

"Fencing is also in place to restrict access to the footpath in this location? The road remains open and disabled parking bays have been relocated to the north-west section of road. We ask the public to follow the signage and be mindful of the precautions now in place in this area."