UK Coastguard issues fresh safety warning at Seaford after large cliff crack reported

UK Coastguard has issued a new safety warning after a large and potentially dangerous cliff crack was reported at Seaford Cliffs in Sussex on Sunday evening.

Newhaven Coastguard Rescue Team were sent to investigate the appearance of a potential fresh crack and Seaford Council were immediately informed.  New safety perimeters have been erected for the protection of the public using the coastal path and coastal walkers are being urged to steer clear of the unstable area. On further investigation it was confirmed to be an existing crack that had enlarged due to recent changes in weather conditions.

Mark Rodway OBE, Maritime Commander said:  ‘We are warning beach goers and coastal walkers to exercise caution in the Seaford cliffs area and keep away from the areas that have now been cordoned off.   The cliffs along the UK coastline are continually eroding and we’ve seen a number of cliff collapses in recent months at Seaford.  It’s impossible to predict when the next piece might fall or how big it will be.  It’s very clear that cliffs are unstable in places and we really can’t stress enough how important it is to keep back from the edge.  There is no ‘safe’ place to be.

'When standing at the bottom of the cliff, we would always advise people that they shouldn’t stand less than the height of the cliff away.  That means if the cliff is 25 metres high, don’t go closer than 25 metres towards it.  Don’t be tempted to go and investigate recent cracks or falls and don’t risk going to the edge to get a dramatic photo.  One of our biggest problems is the ‘selfie-culture’ where people take great risks to get a dramatic photograph of themselves on a dangerous cliff edge – no selfie is worth risking your life for. Use the designated paths, take notice of any warning signs and fences in place, be responsible and don’t take any unnecessary risks. As ever, our message is, ‘Keep safe, but if you see anybody in trouble or if you get into difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard’.'

The existing crack is at the edge of Seaford Head Golf Course where the head greenkeeper, Simon Lambert,  has worked for over 15 years. Simon said 'For the 15 years that I have worked at Seaford Head Golf Course that particular crack has always been there, it is increasing in size but very marginally each year. Undoubtedly it will collapse at some point in the future but that could be tomorrow or in another 15 years’ time, there is no way to know for certain when. That is why we as greenkeepers never go nearer than 5 metres to the edge of the cliffs, the public should equally not go any closer to a cliff edge than 5 metres.'  
 
 For further advice on coastal safety please visit our new website  www.gov.uk/coastguardsafety 

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