Expert issues warning after Sidmouth cliff collapse

Vicky Walkley said cliff falls were "very difficult" to predict and could happen "at any time"

A cliff fall at a Devon beach has promoted a warning for people to stay away from "unstable cliffs".

The collapse happened at Jacob's Ladder beach, Sidmouth, at about 14:00 GMT on Sunday.

Vicky Walkley, a coastal scientist from Exmouth, captured the cliff collapse on video.

She said rocks and debris "entirely covered the full width of the beach in seconds" and warned of the dangers of walking near "unstable cliffs".

Ms Walkley, who works on projects to help the government and local councils assess coastal erosion, said there could have been "tragic" consequences for passers-by.

Ms Walkley, a coastal scientist from Exmouth, captured the cliff collapse on video

She said: "Even after the main cliff fall had stopped, debris kept on falling.

"About 10 minutes after the dust settled, a huge rock the size of a car then came crashing down the cliff and rolled along the beach.

"Luckily there was no-one on this part of the beach at the time but if there had been, it could have been tragic."

'Lubricate the joints'

Ms Walkley said cliff falls were "very difficult" to predict and could happen "at any time", not just in stormy weather.

She said: "All the heavy rainfall we've had this winter acts to lubricate the joints in the rock and increase the likelihood of cliff falls.

"Warm sunshine can also heat the rock, causing it to expand - this can trigger cliff falls too.

"The effects of climate change, including rising sea levels and wetter winters, are likely to accelerate the rates of cliff erosion in future, so it's important that everyone is aware of these risks when visiting the coast."

'Unpredictable events'

A spokesperson for East Devon District Council - the authority that covers Sidmouth - said the cliffs "pose a very real danger" and "caution must be exercised when visiting".

They said: "Rock falls and landslides are unpredictable events, occurring without warning, and can cause serious injury or death."

The spokesperson added people "should always take care around the cliffs of East Devon as all are made of soft rock and pose a cliff fall danger".