A STRETCH of clifftop has been cordoned off at Barton-on-Sea after a landslip.

The 20 metre section was fenced off after the latest of several small landslides along the 50ft cliffs this year following months of heavy rain.

It comes days after a huge landslip at Durdle Door in Dorset, which led to sight-seers being warned to steer clear.

New Milton resident John Yeoman, who walks his dog along the cliffs at Barton every day, said the area just east of the Beachcomber Café had been subsiding for months but had become considerably worse over the weekend.

“I’ve been watching that crack develop for a year now, and it has definitely got worse over the last few days,” he said.

“I dare say that bit will collapse all the way one of these days but it is taking its time. There have been a lot of little falls here since January, although nothing too serious.

“But I understand nothing is going to be done to protect the cliffs, so nature will just take its course. They say it will be about 50 years before it is cut back enough to reach the houses.”

The slip follows a more substantial slide in February further west which has left part of the Marine Drive car park cordoned off.

Meriel Tandy, who has lived in the village for 56 years, said the cliffs had been retreating for decades due to the water running down through them from the New Forest. “There was talk of putting some sort of pumping system in to stop the water reaching the cliffs, which would save them and of course the water could be recycled,” she said.

“But of course it would cost too much money. It is sad to have lived here all these years and watch the cliff falling into the sea.”

Another local resident, Carol Quill, said fencing had been set up all along the cliff edge during the winter.

“I think they were concerned about all the rain we were having,” she added.

“There hasn’t been any call to have permanent fencing put up. Even holiday makers tend to treat the cliff edge with respect as it’s a long way down.”