Works start to stop promenade collapsing further

Gaps have been sealed along a promenade at a seaside resort to try to prevent more concrete slabs from collapsing, a council said.

Two rectangular-shaped sections of the seafront walkway in Southwold, Suffolk, have fallen inward following erosion and stormy weather.

East Suffolk Council, which owns the promenade, said engineers from its coastal management team would be carrying out regular inspections over the Christmas and New Year period.

It said the Water Management Alliance, the authority's repairs and maintenance contractor, had sealed any gaps to help prevent further erosion.

A section of the promenade north of Southwold Pier was cordoned off on 19 December, after a slab fell inward causing a hole to form.

An investigation was launched to find the cause of the collapse, but the council said a further section of the promenade fell in later that day or overnight.

A spokesperson for the authority said: "For safety, the cordon remains in place and we would remind people to take extra care in this area and to take notice of signage and fencing.

"Works on the promenade wall were scheduled for next year, however, recent weather has accelerated erosion damage and it is believed that this has caused the collapse.

"The coastal management team is working with their contractors and consenting organisations for the works to be brought forward."

Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.