The South West Coast Path is a favourite among coastline enthusiasts. However, sadly for these enthusiasts recent figures released have revealed that there have been 10 times more landslips than normal over this winter with a substantial landslip taking place over night in Dorset.
The South West Coast Path Association report that 30 slips and cliff falls have been recorded since November. Whilst between 2007 and 2012 there were only 11 major cliff falls that resulted in a diversion of the coast path.
The South West Coast Path, which is 630 miles long (1,014km), starts at Minehead in Somerset and follows the entire South West peninsula covering Devon and Cornwall's north and south coasts all the way to Poole Harbour in Dorset.
The association, which supports and promotes the path, said prolonged rainfall has made the cliffs along it far more unstable than normal. Many sections of the path have had to be diverted as a result of the falls, with many warning signs erected to walkers to take extra care.
The particularly substantial landslip, which took place last night happened at St Oswald's Bay, east of Durdle Door (Dorset).
A coastguard spokesman said: "It is huge - a massive fall has taken out part of the cliff. It is rather extraordinary."
A spokesman for the Lulworth Estate which owns the land report that he cliffs along the Dorset coast are in a "fragile" state due to wet weather over the past 12 months, followed by recent dry conditions.
"Visitors should exercise awareness of their surroundings and pay attention to warning signs when walking near the cliffs," he added.
Take care coastpath enthusiasts over the approaching Bank Holiday weekend!
Above: The cliff fall happened overnight at St Oswald's Bay
