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
For further advice on coastal safety please visit our new website www.gov.uk/coastguardsafety