Beachside landslip being surveyed by experts

The landslip hit 14 beach huts at Durley Chine on Saturday

An extended cordon has been put in place after part of a cliff fell on to beach huts at a seaside resort.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) councillor Richard Herrett said the move came after a visual assessment of the landslip at Durley Chine on Saturday.

He said it was "in the interest of public safety" and said special matting has been put in place to allow for wheeled and disabled access along the prom.

The area had been fenced off after a previous landslip on 9 October.

multiple beach huts crushed under a landslide
Results from the council’s Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management experts and Geotech engineer are expected at the end of the week

About 14 huts at Durley Chine were hit in the two collapses, which knocked one of them over.

Mr Herrett, portfolio holder for destination, leisure and commercial operations, said: “This area of cliffside has been inspected by the council’s Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) experts and Geotech engineer.

"Data gathered today is with our consultants now and we expect an update on these assessments nearer the end of this week, although cliff slip monitoring is an ongoing process.

“We have been in touch with the licensees of the beach huts and will continue to keep them updated.”

A sign on a fence with broken beach huts behind and a landslip behind
About 14 huts at Durley Chine have been hit in the two collapses

People have also taken to social media to ask about the safety of the goats that were introduced to the cliff in 2019 to manage the vegetation.

The herder posted on Facebook to confirm no goats were currently housed in that enclosure.

"We’re keeping a close eye on our other enclosures," they added.

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