Sidmouth undercliff walkway to Jacob's Ladder beach to stay closed for inspection

The walkway between Sidmouth and Jacob's Ladder beach will stay closed until a rope access contractor can be found to do an inspection and remove any remaining dangerous material, the council has confirmed.

It comes after a small cliff fall on the morning of Sunday 27 March led to the site being cordoned off.

There were no injuries.

Councillor Geoff Jung, East Devon District Council's portfolio holder for Coast, Country and Environment said: "The cliffs above the walkway are inspected every single year by specialists. Securing bolts, many metres long, wire restraining mess, and other safety measures are used to ensure people walking on the walkway will be safe.

"It's very unfortunate that we have had to close this footway, but safety is paramount."

Adjacent area of cliff 'at risk of falling'

East Devon District Council's engineering geologist has assessed the site and identified an area immediately adjacent to the recent cliff fall as being at risk of falling.

Sunday's fall reportedly happened due to an internal joint inside the cliff failing, which likely came after the rock was weakened by shrinking and expanding too fast in the recent wet weather and last week's unseasonably hot and dry conditions.

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