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 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Landslip is 'worst in 100 years' | Landslip is 'worst in 100 years' |
| (10 minutes 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 at 2031 BST on Tuesday. | The earth movement blocked a stretch of beach between Lyme Regis and Charmouth at 2031 BST on Tuesday. |
| A Coastguard spokeswoman said the site was "still rumbling" when crews left for the night. It was too dark to see but work resumed at first light. | A Coastguard spokeswoman said the site was "still rumbling" when crews left for the night. It was too dark to see but work resumed at first light. |
| Boulders "the size of cars" are still at risk of falling onto the beach. | Boulders "the size of cars" are still at risk of falling onto the beach. |
| 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. |
| There's a risk of rocks coming down - the size of car engines, possibly the size of cars Richard EdmondsJurassic Coast World Heritage Centre | |
| 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. |
| Portland Coastguard was alerted to the landslide after several 999 calls on Tuesday night. | Portland Coastguard was alerted to the landslide after several 999 calls on Tuesday night. |
| Police said it was the "worst landslide for 100 years". | |
| 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. |
| "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," a spokeswoman said. | "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," a spokeswoman said. |
| Richard Edmonds, earth science manager at the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Centre, said the landslide was part of a "natural process".Major schemes have been carried out to protect the town from landslides | Richard Edmonds, earth science manager at the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Centre, said the landslide was part of a "natural process".Major schemes have been carried out to protect the town from landslides |
| "Landslips are quite frequent here but the one we've had this morning is really quite big in comparison, really quite spectacular. | "Landslips are quite frequent here but the one we've had this morning is really quite big in comparison, really quite spectacular. |
| "It just happened that this is a particularly large landslip - the last big one was probably 1986. | "It just happened that this is a particularly large landslip - the last big one was probably 1986. |
| "There's a risk of rocks coming down - the size of car engines, possibly the size of cars." | |
| He added, however, that the worst of it was now over. | |
| He said the debris would be broken up naturally and that the "sea will do all the work for us". | He said the debris would be broken up naturally and that the "sea will do all the work for us". |
| He added that once the area was safe, people would be able to hunt for fossils. | He added that once the area was safe, people would be able to hunt for fossils. |
| "Once they've fallen out of the cliff, they'll only get smashed up by the sea," he added. | "Once they've fallen out of the cliff, they'll only get smashed up by the sea," he added. |
| 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." | "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. |