MARITIME AND
COASTGUARD AGENCY News Release (Duty Press Notice) issued by The
Government News Network on 6 May 2008
At eight o'
clock this evening Portland Coastguard received several 999 calls
reporting a large landslide which had occurred on the eastern side
of Lyme Regis just outside the town. The landslide has effectively
blocked a stretch of beach between Lyme Regis and neighbouring Charmouth.
As it was currently high tide and beginning to get dark when the
incident occurred it was difficult to assess the extent of the
damage, however the Coastguard Rescue Team from Lyme Regis, West
Dorset Council and the Emergency Planning teams will meet in the
morning to survey and monitor the situation.
Portland Coastguard Watch Manager Andy Jenkins said:
"An area of the coastline 400 metres long has now been
blocked by the landslip and we are currently awaiting light and
low tide to survey and officiate the incident.
We would ask all members of the public to respect cordons that
are now in place and stay away from the area as the ground is
still very unstable and entering the area at this time is
extremely dangerous."
Press releases and further information about the Agency is
available on the Web at http://www.mcga.gov.uk