Overview
- HM Coastguard winched nine people and a dog to safety on Tuesday after a cliff fall damaged the Birling Gap access steps, with no injuries reported.
- The National Trust has closed the steps until further notice, and authorities say there is currently no safe access to the beach.
- RNLI Eastbourne said Storm Chandra likely weakened the coastline, and officials warn further rockfalls are possible.
- Recent storms shifted pebbles to reveal rare sandy patches on the normally stony beach, which the National Trust describes as a temporary change.
- The erosion-prone Seven Sisters site has seen steps relocated in 2017 and the visitor centre moved in 2023, with heavy visitor numbers adding management pressures.