Safety warning after ‘surge in visitors’ to East Sussex cliffs

The warning follows a cliff fall at Birling Gap on December 30.

A spokesman for the county council said: “There has been a surge of visitors to the East Sussex chalk cliffs in recent days.

“We are working with South Downs National Park Authority, National Trust, Wealden District Council, Lewes District Council, Eastbourne Borough Council and the Coastguard to make visitors aware of the dangers of the crumbly chalk and the tides.

“Chunks can and do fall off without warning and people get cut off by the tide at the base of cliffs.

“On December 30, there was a cliff fall at Birling Gap, where a large amount of chalk crumbles away and falls down to the beach or sea below.

“Do not stand near to cliff edges or bases.”