Access to the cliffs was restricted following falls of chalk in the area

The entrance to the path, near Brighton Marina, has been blocked with secure fencing for several months pending a plan to stabilise the cliffs.

Safety considerations at the cliffs between Black Rock and Newhaven were first raised following falls in 2001.

Sussex Police officers turned up to move people who were protesting at being denied access to the route.

We are stuck between a rock and a hard place with this one Gill Mitchell, Brighton and Hove City Council

John Carden, from Brighton and Hove Local Access Forum, said: "They have been stopped from going on to this site for four years.

"There is very little on the ground there but they are claiming that this is a site that is dangerous.

"The chances of being killed walking along here are next to nothing.

"This is an internationally renowned site - why should we have to go round?"

Woolly rhinos

Brighton and Hove City Council had warned protesters against acting irresponsibly and risking their personal safety.

Councillor Gill Mitchell said: "The council has done everything possible to come up with a solution that is both sensitive to the historic importance of the cliffs and that would prevent further falls of chalk.

"We are stuck between a rock and a hard place with this one."

Following the falls of chalk from the cliffs, the council drew up a scheme to secure the area with bolts and mesh, making it safe for walkers.

However, the plans were delayed after objections from English Nature, which raised concerns over the loss of access to fossils of mammoths and woolly rhinos still preserved in the rock.

The issue has been called in for a public inquiry and a decision is due to made early next year.

Until then the walk will remain closed, with an alternative route being offered through the marina.