December 12th 2023.
Yesterday, a council spokesperson made an urgent announcement regarding the Bonchurch area of the Isle of Wight. They warned people to stay away from the area that had been affected by a major landslide overnight.
The council reported that a cafe, car park, and public toilets had been lost to the fall, and that footpath closures and road barriers were in place until further notice. Council officers had attended the scene at Bonchurch Shute and Smugglers Haven to support and assist residents, and ensure they were safe.
The majority of households had chosen to stay with friends and family, and for those unable to do so, the council had provided temporary accommodation. To ensure that affected residents stayed safe, they strongly recommended those that had not done so, to vacate their properties and make alternative arrangements for overnight accommodation.
The council were also working with the police and Island Roads to provide access to Leeson Road that would enable evacuated residents to access their properties safely, whilst maintaining security for those properties.
The landslip comes amid a worrying pattern of coastal erosion and an increased risk of landslips due to rising water levels around the UK, and the rising frequency of extreme weather events bringing unexpectedly heavy rainfall.
This is not the first time that homes have been lost due to coastal erosion. Just last week, five homes in Norfolk were demolished due to their risk of falling into the sea. The Bonchurch landslide serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by extreme weather and coastal erosion.
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