Steps to Whipsiderry beach will shut until summer
The temporary closure until June follows two major cliff falls on the Newquay beach
Last updated 5th Jan 2024
The steps to Whipsiderry beach in Newquay will be shut until the summer.
Cornwall council have closed off that entrance to the beach following two major cliff falls. The footpath and steps to the beach have been closed for safety since the first fall in November.
A spokesperson from campaign group, Save Whipsiderry Cliffs, said at the time:
"We knew it was going to go, as there were some serious cracks after the last fall which left the cliff in a very unstable state.
"A-lot more rock, soil, shale has fallen onto the beach, just before noon today. It’s still unstable, as you can see from the various cracks. Resident in the local area, told us their whole house shook!!"
The news to close the steps, which are the only access to the beach, has proved controversial with campaign group "Save Whipsiderry Cliffs" calling the move excessive.
In a post on Instagram, the group said: "Cornwall Council have submitted a Temporary Prohibition Of Traffic Notice for the steps at Whipsiderry for SIX MONTHS! This means the steps will be closed to the public until 13th July 2024.
We believe this time period is excessive as:
A) the recent cliff falls have NOT affected the steps.
B) Cornwall Council & @cormacltd have never stated the steps are unsafe
C) the public are still able to access the beach from other routes, and the closed steps increases the risk of tidal cut-off (this risk has been highlighted previously in Cornwall Councils own report, as a reason not to close the steps)
D) Cliff falls are happening all over the Cornish coastline..."
We have contacted Cornwall Council for their response.
Read more:
Warning to stay away from 'highly unstable' cliff at Whipsiderry Beach
Another substantial cliff fall at beach in Newquay