HM Coastguard is warning people to stay well away from cliff edges and the bottom of cliffs following a spate of recent rainy weather resulting in unstable areas near the coast and sea.
Over the weekend, a dog was buried alive at Whipseyderry Beach near Newquay, Cornwall and in Aycliffe, Kent, a group of 5 people were warned to move away from cliff edges following a recent cliff fall. Closer to home, near Swanage in Dorset, a coastguard rescue team investigated a rock slip at Sheps Hollow and cordoned the area off.
As well as the risk of the cliff falls themselves, mud and clay can also form in popular beach areas. Getting stuck in this can be very dangerous.
Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Team has also explained that the north of the Island, in areas such as Newtown and Newport/Folly areas, mudflats are revealed at low tide which you can quickly become stuck in.
Dai Jones, Coastguard Duty Controller said:
“If you’re lucky enough to live near the coast and be in a position to take your exercise there in line with local COVID-19 restrictions, please do be careful near cliffs. Some of them are really unstable at the moment and could easily collapse. Stay well back, wear appropriate sturdy footwear and ensure that you check tide times and weather before setting out”.
