Birling Gap beach steps to remain closed for months

Residents and visitors to Birling Gap said it was a "shame" people would not be able to use the beach until summer after a major cliff collapse.

The beauty spot near Eastbourne has been closed since January after tonnes of rock fell and damaged the steps, which give access to the beach.

Wealden District Council hopes to have it open for the busy summer season after completing an investigative survey.

Councillor Kelvin Williams said the site was an important tourist attraction and the authority was "working hard" to ensure it could reopen "so people can enjoy visiting during the summer".

He added: "However, it is essential that the storm-damaged stairs are fully assessed and made structurally safe before they can be brought back into use."

The average rate of erosion at the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head is around 60cm (23.6 inches) a year. But at Birling Gap, which is between the two sites, the rate of erosion is much quicker.

This is because the cliffs are made from coombe rock, which is a gravel mixture of flint and chalk within clay silt.

During the winter storms of 2013 and 2014, seven years of erosion was said to have taken place in just three months.

Brian Pearson, visiting from Heathfield, said: "It's a shame we have to wait this long, however one has to realise it's expensive and unless further defences are put up, I think this will have to be done on an almost bi-annual basis."

Graeme Stockton, from Eastbourne, added: "On a day like today, you can see how cliff falls happen. That sea is very forceful."

Alexandra Burger, visiting from Germany, said it was "a shame" she couldn't access the beach, but added it "would have been too cold for us".

Mary Pearson added: "It's got to be safe, when we first started coming here there were two more cottages here and they've both gone.

"Eventually it will all disappear unless they do something about it, the weather will take its course."

The stairs were moved closer to the cliff edge in 2017 due to erosion.

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