A LANDSLIP took out an ice cream kiosk on the promenade, leaving debris and rubble over the path and beach.

The land slipped on the night of January 14, damaging the ice cream kiosk between Gordon’s Zigzag and Fisherman’s Walk at Southbourne.

Glen Long, 47, discovered the slip while walking his dog in the morning of January 15, when returning 24 hours later the mess still hadn’t been cleared.

Mr Long said: “The corner (of the ice cream kiosk) was pushed in. I have been in the area one or two years and have seen mini landslips, but this is the first like this. But it didn’t look to me like anyone was in immediate danger.”

The slip came after Storm Brendan hit Dorset, flooding many parts of the county. A Met Office yellow warning remained in place until midnight on the night of January 14.

A spokesperson for BCP Council said they were aware of a landslip that had hit the ice cream kiosk, a clear-up operation had been organised and the cliff was being monitored for any further slips.

Bournemouth Echo:

Part of the seafront at Canford Cliffs has also been fenced off by the council due to concerns loose material could cause the “partial collapse” of beach huts.

Stability off the cliff has been monitored since February 2017 when a section of it fell away and ended up halfway down its face.

“In recent days there has been significant movement to the east of the original cliff slip,” a notice posted at the site says. “This increases the risk that material could pile up at the back of the beach huts which may be of sufficient force to damage them or cause a partial collapse.”

The issue is due to be discussed by its seafront programme board next Friday (January 24).

Bournemouth Echo:

A spokesperson for the Maritime & Coastguard Agency urged people to not stand close to the cliff edge.

“Periods of intense rainfall will often make cliff edges more vulnerable,” they said.

“We’ve seen a number of cliff collapses around the coast in recent months. We really can’t stress enough how important it is to keep back from the edge.

“If you see a crack in a cliff, don’t be tempted to take a closer look to investigate or take pictures. It might be the last picture you ever take, as the cliff could well collapse.

“Our advice is always to keep well away, and to call 999 and ask for the coastguard if you see anyone in trouble along the coast.”