Undercliff walk remains shut from Brighton Marina to Saltdean

The pathway between Brighton Marina and Saltdean was blocked off on February 9.

Sussex Police confirmed that people walking along the seafront had been hit by falling debris from the cliffs, but they did not suffer injuries requiring medical attention.

Passers-by also spotted cracks in the cliffs at Roedean.

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Now, more than a week later, the walkway remains shut.

Brighton and Hove City Council said the continued closure is due to "cliff erosion and risks to public safety".

Debris fell from the cliffs after a period of wet and cold weather caused cliffs around the UK to become weak around the country, with a large fissure appearing in the cliff top at Seaford Head.

On February 8, HM Coastguard issued a national warning urging people to steer clear of unstable cliffs following a spate of rock falls on coastlines in England.

The crack at Seaford Head

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said that, though temperatures have increased over the last couple of days, "there remains a risk of chalk falling from the cliffs" at the undercliff walk.

Visitors can still access the beach, Molly’s Cafe and Whitecliffs Cafe via the Rottingdean ramp and Saltdean subway.

But they are urged to follow safety advice on signs and fences which have been erected in the area.

The council spokesman said: "We are continuing to carry out daily assessments of the undercliff. A specialist contractor will visit the site this week to undertake a visual inspection of the cliffs and a maintenance team is ready to clear the chalk debris when it is safe to do so.

"We hope to have the Undercliff Walk open as soon as possible, but only when there is no longer a risk to public safety."