Large section of Hunt Cliff collapses as council urges caution
A significant landslide at Hunt Cliff, close to Saltburn, has prompted fresh warnings from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council about the risks along the borough's coastline. The collapse, reported on Sunday, followed several weeks of high temperatures and little rain.
Local resident and walker Paul Waugh, who lives in Brotton, said he heard the collapse from the cliff top before witnessing rock tumble onto the beach below. He described the sound as being "like thunder" and said a piece of rock he saw come loose felt like a "tonne".
"Please, please always put safety first and follow the simple advice of our officers – don't approach the cliff edge and stay away from the cliff base."
The appeal to visitors and residents came from council leader Alec Brown, who reiterated that rockfalls can occur without warning and urged people to keep a safe distance from both the cliff edge and the cliff base. The council is reminding people to follow guidance issued by its officers when visiting the coast.
Geology and recent conditions
The British Geological Survey (BGS) notes that the Saltburn cliffs are composed of sandstone which naturally breaks into blocks. Those blocks can detach and fall either on their own or as part of a larger landslip. The BGS has recorded what it describes as a "spike" in landslides and rockfalls over the summer months.
Engineering geohazard geologist Claire Dashwood said there may be a connection between rockfalls and sustained high temperatures or extreme fluctuations in temperature, though she cautioned that the exact processes are not yet fully understood.
Local context and safety advice
The collapse has heightened concern among people who regularly use the coast for walking and recreation. One local walker told reporters he had seen large cracks on top of the cliff after the prolonged dry spell and warned others not to linger at the cliff base because "you never know when it is going to fall." That view echoes the council's request for vigilance.
The incident underlines a wider pattern on the North East coast this summer and the continuing need for visitors to follow simple safety steps. The council and geologists are not advising closures in this report, but both stress that the public should keep away from unstable cliff faces.
- Where: Hunt Cliff, near Saltburn (Redcar and Cleveland area)
- Who: Local walker Paul Waugh witnessed the event; council leader Alec Brown issued safety warnings
- Cause and context: Sandstone cliffs prone to block failure; BGS reports increased rockfalls over the summer, possibly linked to high temperatures and temperature swings
For residents and visitors, the practical takeaways are straightforward: avoid getting too close to the cliff edge, do not gather at the cliff base, and heed advice from council officers who patrol and assess coastal safety.
| Party | Role | Main message |
|---|---|---|
| Paul Waugh | Local walker (Brotton) | Described loud landslide; warned against being beneath cliffs |
| Alec Brown | Leader, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council | Urged safety and said rockfalls can happen at any time |
| BGS / Claire Dashwood | Geological authority / geohazard specialist | Noted a spike in rockfalls; suggested link with high temperatures |
The collapse at Hunt Cliff is a reminder that the borough's dramatic coastline, while a vital part of daily life and a draw for visitors, carries natural hazards that can change rapidly. Local services will continue to monitor the area and issue guidance where necessary, and residents are advised to keep themselves and any children well clear of cliff faces when visiting beaches and coastal paths.
