Following coastal erosion, the beach at The Warren in Folkestone has been closed by Folkestone & Hythe District Council over fears it may have become contaminated.
The council is working closely with the Environment Agency to discover the extent of the possible contamination after the sea was found to have eroded part of the cliff with potentially hazardous material.
The beach at the foot of The Warren has been closed from today until the level of contamination is established.
Leader of Folkestone & Hythe District Council, Councillor David Monk said: “The safety of our residents and visitors is our first priority. I know that the closure of this part of the beach will be inconvenient for many but we’d ask users to bear with us while we establish the facts of the situation.
“Contaminated material poses a risk to health so we strongly urge people to respect the signage and barriers we have put up and find alternative areas to enjoy for now. We need to ensure that The Warren is fully safe again before we re-open the area.”
Council officers and staff from the Environment Agency are working hard to rectify the situation and minimise the risk to the public. At this early stage there is no timetable yet for when the area may reopen.
A Council spokesperson added that local people who have recently visited the Warren should not be concerned, as it is believed the risk to public safety is low and no-one is at imminent risk.
