UK seaside town evacuated after road collapses with caravans close to cliff edge

Emergency personnel have evacuated a small community in Suffolk after a clifftop road collapsed. 

Steps at Arbor Lane in Pakefield Holiday Park, Lowestoft collapsed today, leaving several caravans teetering on a cliff edge and forcing local authorities to cordon off the area. 

Members of the public have been urged to avoid the area by HM Coastguard ahead of an expected high tide tonight.

Coastguard representatives warned the beach is now dangerous after it was partially washed away.

The organisation said: “The beach there is now a dangerous place to be.”

“The beach at the bottom of the steps at Arbor Lane, has now mostly washed away. There is now a drop on to what’s left of the beach.”

Responders will monitor the situation ahead of high tide, which is expected at 8pm today, and over the rest of the weekend. 

Local organisation Pakefield Coastwatch first raised the alarm for the collapse on November 24, stating in a post on social media that caravans were “dangerously close to the edge” of the beach. 

Pictures have shown the extent of the damage, with the steps seen crumbling away and signposts installed on the beach standing precariously.

Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service personnel were called to the scene alongside HM Coastguard, and a spokesman for East Suffolk Council said authorities are now assessing the extent of the local damage. 

They said: “The relevant authorities are addressing the impacts, and affected areas have been cordoned off as the extent of any damage is assessed.”

“Known damage which affects ordinary access includes the steps down to the beach at Arbor Lane.

“Therefore, people are asked to avoid the area and stay away from locations which may still be vulnerable.

“There may be debris and the possibility of further collapse and public safety is a priority.”