Landslips hit properties, rail line and close clifftop path

A "significant landslip" has affected beachfront properties and prompted safety warnings to coastal path walkers.

Council officials said there was a risk of more "earth falling as water continues to flow down the side" of the private land at Nefyn, Llyn Peninsula.

"We are aware that a number of private properties have been affected, but fortunately they were unoccupied at the time," said Cyngor Gwynedd.

A separate landslip in Gwynedd also affected the Welsh Highland Railway's line about four miles (6.4km) from Caernarfon, but bosses say it won't affect planned Santa services.

In Nefyn, the floors of some of the properties have collapsed, according to Nefyn town council chairwoman Mared Llywelyn, with the wider community "very worried" as it followed other landslips affecting nearby public paths over the last week.

"These landslides are happening more frequently now," she said.

"Last year we had extreme storms, and this year it's just seems that it's getting wetter and wetter.

She said one path linking Nefyn with Morfa Nefyn which had been widened and resurfaced has had to close after a "chunk" was lost in a landslip.

"We really need to be thinking seriously about the future of our coastal paths in the midst of this climate emergency," she added.

Cyngor Gwynedd said council staff visited the landslip site on Friday to assess the situation, and had informed the Coastguard.

"As a precautionary measure a section of the coastline, in front of the affected area, has been cordoned off," said the council.

"We would urge members of the public to take extra care when walking near cliff edges and along the coastline, as the land is more prone to slippages following prolonged periods of heavy rainfall."

Operators of Welsh Highland Railway said Santa train services from Caernarfon would continue to operate over the weekend, although over a shortened route, following a landslip near Tryfan Junction.

It was spotted during an inspection on Friday with a huge quantity of mud thought to have been deposited on the line following persistent rain on Thursday.

Paul Lewin, boss at Ffestiniog Railway Company, said it happened at a location close to a river which had been strengthened in the past due to "land movements historically".

"But that has not prevented a torrent of slurry-like mud from being deposited on the line during the intense rain storm."

Engineers are due to complete an assessment and provide the operator with an update.