Fresh warnings have been issued to Sidmouth beachgoers after more people were spotted sitting under the town’s crumbling cliffs.
This photo of a young man sat at the foot of a recent cliff fall was sent to the Herald by Eve Mathews from Sidmouth, on Wednesday.
And on Tuesday, Sidmouth resident Dave Collingwood sent a similar picture – taken only a few days after a group of people were seen climbing thousands of tonnes of rubble on east beach.
Mr Collingwood was out with his wife Debbie on Sunday afternoon when he saw the girls sitting near a danger sign taking their own photographs.
The farmer said: “I just couldn’t believe it; we said to them about the danger and they looked at us as if we were weird. I couldn’t believe they were sat under the danger sign.
“What is it going to take to show that this is dangerous? Hopefully not a death but I am sorry to say it is coming. It’s literally every day you see someone there. It’s not worth it.”
East Devon District Council (EDDC) has installed warning signs, which include a photograph of a cliff fall taken by photographer Eve.
A spokeswoman said: “We strongly advise all members of the public to enjoy the cliffs from a safe distance.
“A sign warning of the dangers posed by cliff falls and rising tides has been installed by East Devon District Council on the emergency egress steps at Alma Bridge, by East Beach.
“The sign makes it very clear that there is a danger of cliff fall and that people should not access the beach.
“Educating people over the dangers that cliffs present is a priority for us and we will keep repeating our warning messages and advice, while continuing to monitor and manage the cliffs in our care.
“The council wants to discourage members of the public from using the steps by Alma Bridge to access East Beach from the town, due to the risk of rock falls from the cliffs or being cut off by rising tides.
“The actual purpose of the steps is to allow a safe escape route for people approaching Sidmouth from the east, so they don’t get trapped by the incoming tide.”
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