Two more landslips on and near the Cleveland Way due to 'exceptionally wet' weather

Part of the Cleveland Way at Huntcliff, near Saltburn, has now been set back and re-opened following significant damage to the original route caused by slippage last week.

And a path leading off the National Trail at Port Mulgrave, near Staithes, has also been closed for repairs ahead of a diversion being put in place.

A temporary diversion is still in operation on the Cleveland Way between Whitby and Saltwick Bay after the first cliff collapse earlier this month.

North York Moors National Park Authority ranger Bernie McLinden explained that a recent spell of exceptionally wet weather has made the soft cliffs in the area unstable and liable to slippage.

"The path at Port Mulgrave is a dead-end track that runs from the Cleveland Way to the old port. There was a major landslip there two years ago, and we did some repair work which has now been undone. There will be a temporary closure while we assess it and work out an alternative - which could be finding a line for a new path.

"It's a very active slip zone. The land is saturated at the moment, which lubricates the slip. It's a natural process and the cliffs are clay soil, so they're more susceptible."

As the Cleveland Way is designated as a National Trail, contingency planning includes the possibility of future re-routing.

"We get some slippage every year, and it's not unusual, so eventually the path may be set further back. On the section near Whitby, we'll put new surfaces down as it's a very popular stretch.

"It's just the nature of the soil, with boulder clay it just literally becomes mud.

"We can't do much to repair the path in some areas, so mostly it's a case of moving back the path from where it's eroded away. Sometimes we can do work on the drainage.

"Hopefully with lockdown there are fewer people out using the path, as it really is exceptionally wet at the moment."

In a statement regarding the Port Mulgrave incident, Staithes Coastguard confirmed that the beach was now out of bounds.

"We currently urge visitors to not attempt to descend the cliff to access Port Mulgrave. The steps have been taped off and we deem it unsafe to access the beach and fishermen’s huts due to the land slipping constantly at present. We would also advise against using any makeshift access.

"We continue to repeat our warnings that visitors to the coast should keep away from cliff edges and the base of cliffs due to continued erosion.

"Our guidance would be to stay away from the base of the cliff the same distance as the cliff height, and to remain on designated cliff paths away from cliff edges."