Tourists pose for pictures on 400ft crumbling cliff edge

Reckless tourists have been spotted posing for selfies on a 400ft cliff – just hours before the path was closed due to rapid erosion.

Shocking photos show thrill seekers standing dangerously close to the crumbling cliff edge at Birling Gap, East Sussex.

Steps leading down to the beach below the iconic chalk cliffs were closed on Sunday, years earlier than expected, due to a recent increase in cliff falls.

Dicing with death: Shocking photos show thrill seekers standing dangerously close to the crumbling cliff edge at Birling Gap, East Sussex

Completed just four years ago, it was hoped the steps leading down to the beach at Birling Gap, near Beachy Head, would provide access for the visitors for decades to come.

But a mixture of violent storms and high seas has seen several metres of the chalk face cliffs disappear beneath the waves.

During the winter storms of 2013/14, seven years of erosion was said to have taken place in just three months.

Now the steps have been closed to the public so they can be moved to a ‘safer anchorage’.

A couple take photos on the cliff edge. A mixture of violent storms and high seas has seen several metres of the chalk face cliffs disappear beneath the waves

A woman dangles her legs over the cliff edge while two women take photos. Completed just four years ago, it was hoped the steps would provide access for the visitors for decades to come

WHY DO CLIFFS COLLAPSE?

Cliffs collapse for a range of reasons.

While the most common reason is weathering, there are other factors to consider, such as water crashing against the cliff face, what the cliff is made of, and the climate of the area.

For example, softer materials, such as clay are more likely to collapse than harder materials like granite.

Bad weather naturally erodes the foundations of a cliff, and can cause it to collapse.

One of the most common examples of weathering is when rain fall affects the composition of the cliff.

As rain falls, it seeps into the permeable gravel and soil at the top of the cliff, adding weight to it.

At the same time, colder winter temperatures can cause the face of this cliff to freeze, as frozen areas weaken as they thaw.

If a cliff is against a body of water, such as a sea or ocean, waves crashing on the cliff can also weaken it over time.

Cliffs can also collapse as the result of rock slides, when whole slabs of rock detach from an inclined face and collapse, or as a result of mud slides, when wet soil and weak rocks fall.

Councillor Claire Dowling Wealden District Council Cabinet member with responsibility for Coastal Protection.

‘The steps and bridge are designed to be periodically moved to allow for ongoing erosion, but unfortunately the council and the National Trust are having to take this action a number of years earlier than we had hoped.

‘We regret the inconvenience this may cause people wishing to access the beach but it is important that we complete the work before the coming winter storms.’

‘The present staircase was installed in 1996, to replace a damaged earlier structure. It was moved back to the cliff line in 2002 and the access bridge – which dated from the earlier structure – was replaced and lengthened in 2013.’

The cliffs at Birling Gap have experienced possibly the worst coastal erosion in the UK.

In 2005 it was noted they had retreated 90 metres from where they had stood in 1873.

Over the years several cottages have disappeared as the cliffs have gradually been eroded.

Cllr Dowling said: ‘It is another stark reminder of the relentless erosion taking place and why it is so important not to go near the cliff edge. We never know when or where the next fall will take place.’

It is hoped that once in their new position, the steps should not have to be replaced for up to ten more years.

Two tourists pose on the cliff edge. During the winter storms of 2013/14, seven years of erosion was said to have taken place in just three months

Adrian Harrison, National Trust Lead Ranger said: ‘Here at Birling Gap we are face to face with the realities of coastal change. We are glad to have the support of Wealden District Council with this essential work on the steps, which will help to enable long term access to the beach.’

The National Trust looks after 775 miles of coastline around England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

More than 350,000 people visit the cliffs at Birling Gap and Seven Sisters cliffs each year.

A young woman stands perilously close to the cliff edge. More than 350,000 people visit the cliffs at Birling Gap and Seven Sisters cliffs each year

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