Warning as thousands of tonnes of chalk fall from White Cliffs of Dover
Chalk falls
from White Cliffs near Dover Eastern Docks. Picture: Paul
Tutthill
by Graham Tutthill
Walkers are being warned to stay away from the edge of the White
Cliffs of Dover after heavy rain left parts of
them crumbling.
Thousands of tonnes of chalk have fallen near the docks and -
with water pouring out of the cliffs - there are fears more could
follow.
People are being advised to stay away from the edge while
walking at the top of the cliffs in case they give way and at the
bottom where pieces of chalk could fall.
The latest area where the cliff has collapsed is close to
the St Margaret's side of Dover's Eastern Docks where tonnes of
chalk has fallen onto the shore and into the sea.
It follows a much larger cliff fall further along the coast.
Meanwhile, water is gushing out of the cliffs above the beach
next to Samphire Hoe, on the Folkestone side of Dover.
Paul Holt, from the White Cliffs Countryside Partnership, said
the fresh water spring called Lydden Spout always flows.
"In hot summers it reduces to a trickle, but in wet winters it
gushes out from the chalk," he said.
"In recent weeks it has cut a dramatic gully across the beach.
It is a strange sight to see water gushing out from the cliffs, but
all the wet weather has meant the spout is more dramatic than
normal."
08/01/13
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