A BEACH is partly closed following a “significant” landslide - and more slips are expected to follow.

A section of cliff top at Barton-on-Sea collapsed on Tuesday evening, close to Becton Bunny.

Nobody was hurt in the landslide, but visitors are being warned to avoid the cliff top and the beach below.

The area around the landslip has been closed and warning signs have been put up at access points and at the beach below.

It reads: ‘Warning. Cliff fall in progress. Beach closed. No access. Apologies for the inconvenience caused’.

The landslide, which measures 20 metres in length and starts one metre from the cliff edge, happened at around 5.30pm.

Several cracks have also formed on the cliff top above the landslide.

A spokesperson for New Forest District Council said further landslides were expected, especially if it rains in the next few days. Showers are forecast in the area today and tomorrow. 

The spokesperson continued: “The warning now from our coastal scientists, who have assessed the cliff there yesterday night and this morning, is that the area is highly likely to see more significant movement and another landslip.

“We strongly advise that the area of the cliff top and the beach below should not be accessed by the public,” they added.

The area of land, which is owned by Barton on Sea Golf Course, will remain shut until the cliff stabilises.

Barton-on-Sea has suffered a number of landslips over the years.
The last substantial slide happened in May 2013.

A 20-metre section, just east of the Beachcomber Café, was fenced off following a series of small landslides along the 50ft cliffs caused by months of heavy rain.

However, the council says a period of “very dry weather” may have contributed to the recent landslide. 

They added the coastal team “do work to continually monitor our coastline”. 

Last year, safety concerns were raised about a large crack on the cliff top, around 200 yards from the Beachcomber Cafe.

Council officials inspected the area but did not believe there was any immediate danger as it has been there for over 10 years with no signs of movement.