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No risk to public safety at beach promenade despite cliff top cordon

East Cliff zig zag path to beach cordoned off after safety inspection <i>(Image: Newsquest)</i>
East Cliff zig zag path to beach cordoned off after safety inspection (Image: Newsquest)

BEACH visitors are not at risk say the council after “variations” were detected on a popular cliff to beach pathway as inspections continue.

The East Cliff zig zag path, which starts near the Jon Egging memorial and leads to Bournemouth beach, has been shut since Friday, January 20.

The closure has been described as a precaution by officers after “modest variations” on the cliffs were discovered.

Providing an update on Wednesday afternoon, a BCP Council spokesperson said: “East Cliff zigzag has been temporarily closed as a precaution following routine inspections, which found modest variations at some of the survey points we use for monitoring.

“The closure helps us maintain people's safety and enables us to inspect the area in greater detail and frequency. Survey data collected will be used to inform future decision making.

Bournemouth Echo: East Cliff zig zag path is closed
Bournemouth Echo: East Cliff zig zag path is closed

East Cliff zig zag path is closed (Image: Newsquest)

“At this time, we have no reason to believe that the promenade area is at risk, however as a precautionary measure we have restricted access to the steps until we have completed our review.”

Variations are understood to be linked to cliff erosion rates and face changes.

The Echo has further asked the council to confirm what variations have been found and how long the path closure will last.

Last week, BCP Council announced major plans to transform the seafront following an £18million government cash injection.

The authority said the cash would allow the prom at East Cliff to be reopened with a long-term vision to reinstate a new cliff lift.

Also last week, a major rockfall took place along the Dorset coast at West Bay.