East Suffolk Council
Residents and visitors advised to take extra care at the coast
High tides, intense rainfall and strong winds are forecast to impact the East Suffolk coast from Friday, with large waves, debris and potential cliff collapse possible and those visiting the coast are advised to take extra care.
Following a recent dry spell, the soft sandy cliffs along the Suffolk coast have dried out, leaving them not only vulnerable to wave action but also to any heavy rainfall at the top. This could lead to unprecedented cliff fall.
High tides will bring water to the base of the cliffs and people are advised to check tide times before walking on the beach to avoid the possibility of being cut off.
Higher than usual tides in March and August have had an adverse effect on the most vulnerable areas of the coast, with many beaches not recovering as expected during the summer months.
Coastal Partnership East, on behalf of East Suffolk Council, is reminding people to stay safe on the coast by adhering to the following:
- do not climb on eroding cliffs or sea defences.
- keep well back from the cliff edge.
- take notice of signage
- avoid walking close to the base of cliffs.
- keep pets on leads.
Cllr Kay Yule, East Suffolk’s cabinet member for Planning and Coastal Management said: “It is understandable that people want to explore our beautiful coast and see the effects of extreme weather, but it is simply not worth risking your life for. With bad weather from Storm Babet predicted this weekend, we would urge people to take care at the coast and pay attention to safety advice.”
If you notice anything unusual or dangerous about cliffs or any coastal defences, please email coastalmanagement@eastsuffolk.gov.uk. In an emergency always call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
HM Coastguard has the following safety advice:
• Do not attempt to climb up or down cliffs unless you are properly equipped and trained to do so and do not attempt to climb cliffs as a short cut back to the top again.
• Make sure that you are properly equipped for walking along coastal paths. Remember to wear sturdy shoes or boots and check the weather forecast and tidal times before you set out. Carry a fully charged mobile phone and tell someone where you are going and what time you will be home. Only use the designated paths, take notice of any warning signs and fences in place, be responsible and don’t take any unnecessary risks.
• Try and keep your dog on a lead near cliffs. If they pick up the scent of an animal or hear something on the coast below it doesn’t take much for them to follow their nose. Above all, if your dog does fall down a cliff or starts getting swept out to sea, please do not attempt to rescue it yourself. In the majority of cases, your dog will rescue itself and return to shore alive, but tragically some owners do not. Coastguards are trained in all types of rescue on the coast, including dog rescues.
• When standing at the bottom of a cliff, we would always advise people that they should not stand less than the height of the cliff away. That means that if the cliff is 25 metres high, do not go closer than 25 metres towards it.