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Jurassic Coast rockfall cuts off access to West Bay beach in Dorset

Arlo Castle Rockfall at West BayArlo Castle
The extent of the West Bay rockfall can be seen in shots taken from a drone

A major rockfall has cut off access to a Jurassic Coast beach and the public is being urged to avoid the area.

Dorset Council reported the rockfall at West Bay on Wednesday lunchtime and said it had cut off access to East Beach.

It said there was no access to Burton Bradstock from West Bay and vice versa.

The council said it was investigating access to the coastal path and asked people to stay away from the cliff base and edge.

Arlo Castle West Bay rockfallArlo Castle
The rockfall has blocked access in both directions and Dorset Council is assessing its impact on the coast path
Dorset Council East Beach rock fallDorset Council
Dorset Council said the rock fall was "big" and had cut off access to East Beach

Photographer Daryl Gill was working at the Bridport Arms Hotel and heard the fall.

He said: "It's just a stone's throw away really and we heard a bit of weird rumble, something out of the ordinary."

The fall shows "how much of a risk it is to be on the beach under the cliffs," he said.

"During the summer, if it was a warmer day, the beach would have been full of people."

Dorset Council Rockfall at West BayDorset Council
Members of the public are being urged to avoid the area
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