This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/dorset/7386923.stm
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Landslip is 'worst in 100 years' | Landslip is 'worst in 100 years' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A landslip described as "the worst for 100 years" has destroyed more than 400 metres (1,312 ft) of Dorset's World Heritage Jurassic Coast. | A landslip described as "the worst for 100 years" has destroyed more than 400 metres (1,312 ft) of Dorset's World Heritage Jurassic Coast. |
The earth movement blocked a stretch of beach between Lyme Regis and Charmouth but there are no reports of injuries. | The earth movement blocked a stretch of beach between Lyme Regis and Charmouth but there are no reports of injuries. |
Portland Coastguard was called at 2031 BST on Tuesday after several 999 calls. | Portland Coastguard was called at 2031 BST on Tuesday after several 999 calls. |
A spokeswoman said the site was "still rumbling" when crews left for the night but it was too dark to assess damage. Work resumed at first daylight. | A spokeswoman said the site was "still rumbling" when crews left for the night but it was too dark to assess damage. Work resumed at first daylight. |
It's a very, very popular fossiling area, so our main concern is to keep members of the public away Coastguard spokeswoman | It's a very, very popular fossiling area, so our main concern is to keep members of the public away Coastguard spokeswoman |
The area is part of 95 miles (153 km) of Dorset and east Devon known as the Jurassic Coast, with rocks recording 185 million years of the earth's history. | The area is part of 95 miles (153 km) of Dorset and east Devon known as the Jurassic Coast, with rocks recording 185 million years of the earth's history. |
It was England's first natural UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) World Heritage Site. | It was England's first natural UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) World Heritage Site. |
The area affected, about the length of four football pitches, is still very unstable. | The area affected, about the length of four football pitches, is still very unstable. |
"They've assessed it this morning," the Coastguard spokeswoman said. | "They've assessed it this morning," the Coastguard spokeswoman said. |
"Because it's a big landslip, we've got the local council and police involved to cordon off the beach. | "Because it's a big landslip, we've got the local council and police involved to cordon off the beach. |
"It's a very, very popular fossiling area, so our main concern is to keep members of the public away because it's such a big landslip - it's the biggest they've seen." | "It's a very, very popular fossiling area, so our main concern is to keep members of the public away because it's such a big landslip - it's the biggest they've seen." |
Major schemes have been carried out to protect the town from landslides | Major schemes have been carried out to protect the town from landslides |
Police described it as the "worst for 100 years". | Police described it as the "worst for 100 years". |
Lyme Regis is built on a particularly unstable stretch of coastline and previous smaller landslips have exposed fossils on the beaches. | Lyme Regis is built on a particularly unstable stretch of coastline and previous smaller landslips have exposed fossils on the beaches. |
The coastline has seen numerous stabilisation projects in the past to stop it from crumbling into the sea. | The coastline has seen numerous stabilisation projects in the past to stop it from crumbling into the sea. |
In February, a consultation began with residents for a new £21m scheme that would have included a new sea wall on the eastern side of the town. | In February, a consultation began with residents for a new £21m scheme that would have included a new sea wall on the eastern side of the town. |
West Dorset District Council has already carried out two major schemes to protect and stabilise the town. | West Dorset District Council has already carried out two major schemes to protect and stabilise the town. |
The council's planning and environment director, David Evans, said: "I would strongly advise people to keep away from the landslip for their own safety. | |
"It is not in a fossil area and is extremely muddy." | |
Have you seen the landslip? Do you live in the area? Send your pictures and comments using the post form below: | Have you seen the landslip? Do you live in the area? Send your pictures and comments using the post form below: |
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions |
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |