'High potential' for cliff falls leads to gate

The council has confirmed plans for a temporary gate at the top of the steps

A temporary gate is being installed at the top of steps leading to a Cornish beach, with the council warning there is “high potential for further cliff falls”.

The steps down to Whipsiderry beach near Newquay have been fenced off for safety reasons since a cliff fall in November.

Cornwall Council said the new gate was necessary because people have been moving the fencing to access the steps and putting their and others' lives in danger.

It added that the council-owned steps will remain closed for "the foreseeable future while cliff falls persist".

Cornwall Council said unstable debris remains at the base of the cliff

A spokesperson for the council said: "Natural processes will eventually erode and remove this material allowing for a more detailed stability assessment, however at present there is a high potential for further cliff falls."

They said the council had consulted with the RNLI and HM Coastguard on the decision to install the temporary gate to ensure emergency services could still access the steps.