Dorset “Still Open for Business” Despite Landslips

Grappling with the problems that have resulted from coastal landslips, Dorset County Council has issued a message that the county’s tourism industry is very much alive and kicking. There are currently four sections of South West Coast Path, including above St Oswald's Bay, remaining closed in the county following landslips caused by heavy rain.

They were at pains to point out that the closures had affected "only a tiny proportion" of the coast. About 80 miles (130km) of the 630-mile path, from Somerset to Dorset, runs through the Dorset boundaries.  
Nevertheless, the South West Coast Path Association described the path as "hugely important" to the economy, estimating its contribution to the south west of England to be about £350m each year. A spokesperson said although the association had received calls from visitors concerning landslips along the Dorset coast earlier in the year, they were no longer having an impact on visitors because people were aware of the temporary diversions.

The South West Coastal Path

John Hayes, senior ranger for Dorset County Council's countryside coastal ranger team, said: "Landslips have affected only a tiny proportion of the Dorset coast and even where the coast path has had to be closed, diversions are in place that normally only add a little extra time to people's walks.  Dorset's beautiful coast is open for business - we would just urge people to use their common sense and avoid potential hazards, even if they are familiar with the area."

The April collapse of a 20 metre section of the path above St Oswald's Bay, east of Durdle Door, was described by Portland Coastguard described as "massive". The council said work was planned to permanently divert the path inland and added "relevant permissions" were currently being sought.
Decisions were still awaited on two sections of path between Blacknor and Priory Corner on Portland, which closed in January. Survey work into cliff movement has been carried out, but the reopening of the path remained in abeyance.

Natural England had been approached for funds for repairs here and on the path between Kimmeridge Bay and Houn's Tout, which also closed in January. The mile-long path between Burton Freshwater and Hive Beach, where 22-year-old Charlotte Blackman, of Heanor, Derbyshire, died in a landslide in July, has now reopened with a 1,300ft (400m) section permanently diverted inland.

http://www.southwestcoastpath.com/