Villagers along rapidly eroding Jurassic Coast would rather 'nature takes it course' than have sea defences installed

Villagers along the famously eroding Jurassic Coast have said they would rather 'nature takes its course' than install sea defences after thousands of tons of rock collapsed this week.

One of Britain's most iconic views, the Dorset coastline stands at 140ft tall and is more than 180 million years old, but recent extreme weather has seen huge chunks fall from the area around Burton Bradstock.

Images of the rockfall show boulders the size of double-decker buses on top of a 50ft pile of debris that has blocked the popular beach.

But steadfast residents have claimed the 'astronomical' costs of installing defences would not be 'practical'.

Residents also slammed tourists who play 'Russian roulette' by sunbathing under the cliffs, but said they would strongly fight any plans to close the beach. 

Retired civil engineer Alan Pillinger, 69, said: 'The cliffs are eroding at such a fast rate and you would have to pin the cliffs with long rods and fix it with resin, with something in front. The costs would be astronomical and there's no guarantee it would work.'

Ellie Jackson, 34, added: 'A sea wall would ruin the appearance of the beautiful Jurassic Coast cliffs.

'I don't think you can protect them from eroding further and we will soon lose the coastal path, which is a shame.

'I find it crazy how many people clamber over the debris of the rockfalls. They are playing Russian roulette.'

Matthew Sharpe, 53, a church pastor who was with his wife Karen, said he was in favour of the 'managed withdrawal' approach,

He said: 'The reality of rising sea levels is we are going to lose more and more of our cliffs. There is no infinite pot of money to protect every beautiful place. You can't protect the whole coast.'

Catherine Broadley, 50, a physiotherapist, said she had discussed with a friend whether they could put down man-made rocks at the base of the cliffs to protect them from erosion.

She said she had 'mixed feelings' about the idea which would create an 'eyesore'. However, she strongly opposed any moves to close the beach, saying it was a 'step too far'.

'There are lots of safety warning signs and people need to take responsibility and use their common sense,' she explained. 'Closing the beach would be a step too far. It is a beautiful spot and walking here is good for your mental health.'

Her stance was supported by company director Val Haydn-Taylor, 58, who had just been for a swim. She said: 'I do worry when I see people sat under the cliffs. I always stay away from them.

'But there are lots of signs and I don't see how closing the beach will stop the process of erosion. There's enough space on the beach to enjoy it without putting yourself in danger under the cliffs.'  

The area, which is where the popular ITV show Broadchurch was filmed, experience this significant rockfall after a battering from Storm Kathleen, which saw 600 tons fall of the cliff face on Monday. 

Locals warned that a major collapse was imminent after images taken at the same spot on Monday showed the exposed bottom of the cliffs from where the beach had been washed away.

At the top, the popular South West Coast Path is now only three yards away from the sheer drop after a large chunk was taken out of the cliff.

Baroness Brown, member of the UK climate change committee argued that although we must protect public safety the 'last thing you want to do is to be putting in place engineering structures' as 'all those things are unsightly.'

'We have to make sure things are clearly signposted and people understand where they can and can't go at different times.

'Because the last thing you want to do is to be putting in place the engineering structures, such as seas walls or the piles of rocks that help take the energy out of the waves, or the rock armour at the base of the cliffs. 

'All those things are unsightly and will inhibit the natural evolution of those parts,' she told BBC Radio 4.

She added: 'We live on an island where we have always had a changing coast line. So in some ways we have to accept that that is what we want and part of that coast is a world heritage site and it is important that the natural process of erosion is allowed to continue.' 

Professor Ian Townend at the University of Southampton argued that it is 'highly likely' that putting in erosion protection to the cliff will just lead to further problems.   

'It is highly likely that trying to defend the cliff with sea walls, or stabilising the cliff in some way, would simply move the problem elsewhere on the coast. 

'Risk is a fundamental part of life. Our vulnerability increases, the more we are prevented from making our own decisions about the level of risk we are willing to accept. Communication, in multiple forms, can help ensure that visitors are aware of the risk and can make their own decisions.'

The cliffs are made up of sandstone rock that is porous and acts like a sponge with rainwater, which seeps down through it and weakens it over time.

At the same time, strong waves whipped up by storms batter the base of the cliffs, also destabilising them. 

In 2012, tourist Charlotte Blackman, 22, was crushed to death when a huge landslip occurred as she walked under the cliffs further along the coast at Burton Bradstock. 

Leo Henley-Lock, Countryside Manager for the National Trust in West Dorset, said: 'The coast and cliffs along this stretch of the Jurassic Coast are unstable and naturally liable to landslips and falls at any time without warning. 

'We would urge people to take the time to read warning signs in car parks and footpaths and follow their instructions so they can enjoy the coast safely. 

'People should always stay well back from the cliff edges, whether on or below them, and we ask people not to visit to view the slip as secondary slips may occur without warning.' 

Dorset Council spokesperson said: 'The Jurassic Coast is a wonderful place to visit, but it looks the way it does because of erosion from weather and the sea. Rockfalls and landslips are part of the movement which makes up the unique nature of this coastline.

'We remind visitors to take notice of warning signs and not to climb over fresh falls because they can still be unstable. It is important to use common sense and caution – stay away from the edge and base of cliffs and always pay attention to warning signs, safety messages and the tides.