Landslip 'early warning system' installed by residents

Residents in an East Sussex town have taken action to protect their homes from landslips.

The Hydraulic Activity Stabilisation Training Enterprise (Haste) said it had begun installing sensors to monitor the cliff system in Hastings and St Leonards, following landslides in the area.

"Think of these sensors as an early warning system," said a spokesperson for the community interest company.

"They continuously measure vibration and water pressure in the soil – two key factors that geologists know can trigger landslides."

"When heavy rainfall soaks into the ground or when there's unusual movement, the sensors detect it immediately and send alerts to the community living nearby," the spokesperson added.

Hastings and St Leonards have experienced 24 landslides in recent years, according to the council-backed community initiative.

Incidents were recorded at Old Roar Gill and West Hill Road with evacuations forced and homes damaged elsewhere, it said.

Debbie Moles, who lives on Marina in St Leonards, told the BBC her garden was "totally ruined" by a landslide.

She described waking up early in the morning to an "incredible noise".

"I could not believe what I was seeing," she said, adding that she watched huge amounts of rubble, mud and scaffolding moving down the hill.

Ms Moles said she was initially "very anxious" after what happened.

But she added this was no longer the case as Haste meant "everyone was keeping an eye on it".

"People are really helping each other," she said. "It is incredible what has happened."

Haste, which is working with the company InSitu to install the sensors, said it was presenting its approach to the government and 60 other councils, which it hoped could serve as a model for others.

"This is what community resilience looks like in practice," said Haste coordinator Ben Ramsden.

"We've spent two years analysing historical data, building partnerships, and planning carefully.

"Now we're putting sensors in the ground that will act as an early warning system – helping us understand where the risks are and figure out how to bring back stability to our cliff."

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