The walkway will remain closed (Image: North Norfolk District Council)
A collapsed cliff-slide has prompted the local council to close a seaside walkway and urge visitors to avoid the spot. A section of the cliff face adjoining the village of Overstrand, near Cromer in , has been closed after a “slip” on the coastline.
The route makes up part of the popular Norfolk Coast Path route, which North Norfolk District Council said would be temporarily diverted to avoid the dangerous area. A spokesperson for the local authority asked locals and visitors to “not cross the barriers or attempt to walk around the material.”
It’s the second time this year the Norfolk has deteriorated, posing a risk to trail walkers. Residents were warned to “steer clear” of the cliff back in January, after also shut off access to the promenade.
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Walkers were urged to avoid the area for the foreseeable future (Image: North Norfolk District Council)
The walkway will remain closed “until further notice”, the council said, while engineers “assess the material slip and access issues”.
Photos of the “slip” show the cliff front covering over half of the promenade in one section, nearly reaching the fence leading to the sandy beach.
It comes after the council announced the completion of the Cromer Coastal Management Scheme just up the coastline in February, reinforcing seafront protections through rock armour, concrete and rock placement.
“The North Sea can be very aggressive,” Councillor Harry Blathwayt said after construction finished last month.
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“It takes its tolll on the concrete structures and during stormy weather and rising seas, the over topping flints or waves crashing onto the promenade were dangerous.
“Fortunately, 35,000 tonnes of Scottish granite now absorb so much of that violent wave pressure. Protecting the promenade and seafront is essential. I’m glad this project has delivered coastal protection for many years,” he added.
Another North Norfolk coastal village, Happisburgh, is caused by coastal erosion – with residents including Bryony Nierop-Reading afraid that their homes will fall into the sea.
The Government has said it is committed to “supporting coastal communities” by investing £2.4 billion in the next two years towards protection from flooding and erosion.