BRAMBLES CHINE STEPS CLOSED ONCE AGAIN AFTER ADVERSE WEATHER RIPS STRUCTURE FROM CLIFF

Stormy weather has forced the closure of steps to a popular Isle of Wight beach  — little more than half a year after they reopened — because they are no longer attached to the cliff. Following flooding and Storms Babet and Ciaran at the end of October and the start of November, the steps to Brambles Chine beach in Norton Green, between Totland and Yarmouth, have been closed. The Isle of Wight Council says the cliff was washed out and eroded but winter weather means repairs cannot be carried out straightaway. A spokesperson said:

“We envisage looking at works to reinstate beach access in the spring.”

It is not the first time access to Brambles Chine has been removed, after a near year-long closure was lifted in the summer. As previously reported by Island Echo, The slipway at Brambles Chine closed in February 2022 as it had become structurally unsound and was no longer safe for the public to walk over. Work to replace the slipway.

Now, a little over 6-months later, the replacement steps have had to be shut, and may be for at least the next 4 months. To access the Brambles beach, you can do so via the sea wall and steps at Colwell Chine but the Isle of Wight Council has advised those wishing to do so to be aware of the tide times. The impact of recent storms has also meant the steps to access Brook Chine beach have been damaged and sections of the coastal path have been closed between Gurnard and Thorness, Brighstone, and Totland and Colwell, as well as other public footpaths. For a full list of the current footpath closures, you can visit the council’s website: www.iow.gov.uk/libraries-leisure-and-heritage/recreation-and-leisure/public-rights-of-way/current-closures