HM Coastguard Margate were called to Kingsgate yesterday (January 31) after tonnes of ‘rock’ came down in a cliff fall
The crew were tasked by UK Coastguard to assess the rock fall. Once on scene they found a substantial fall of several tons.
HM Coastguard Margate said: “Without putting officers lives in danger we tried to assess to see if any other areas around it looked precarious. On closer inspection we could not 100% establish any other danger areas.
“After speaking to our control room they were going to notify the local council immediately for something to be done.
“Officers taped up the path leading down to the fall to stop people going down there.
“This time of the year cliffs can become very unstable, the mixture of lots of rain and frosty cold nights can cause water to get into the ground, freezing and causing gaps to expand. This can then lead to sudden cliff falls.
“Please if you are enjoying your exercise on the beach try to stay away from cliff bases and edges.”
Cllr Steve Albon, Cabinet Member for Operational Services at Thanet District Council, added: “Thanet’s coastline is a wonderful place to enjoy your daily exercise but we can’t stress enough the importance of coastal safety. Our cliffs are a beautiful feature but are not indestructible. Natural occurrences like heavy rainfall, frosty nights and storms can weaken them, leaving some sections particularly vulnerable to cliff falls.
“We are therefore advising the public to take extra care when walking on clifftop paths or on the beach below. Please use common sense and caution – stay away from the edge and base of cliffs at all times and pay attention to any warning signs and safety messages. While walking along the beach, it’s always advisable to check the tide times and know the risks. Please take care and remember that a cliff face should never be seen as a shortcut.
“If you witness the start of a cliff slip, please vacate the area immediately and report it to the Coastguard.”
In a coastal emergency dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard
