A RESIDENT concerned about landslips affecting a Weymouth coastal path says part of the route is blocked following recent cliff movement.

The Echo reported how Brian Hallworth had been litter-picking in the Castle Cove and Sandsfoot Beach area at the end of last week when he noticed land slippage in the area, although it was unclear when it happened and if it affected the Underbarn walk.

Now Old Castle Road resident Dave Askew has said the slips are recent and part of the path is affected.

The Underbarn, a picturesque path from Bincleaves Green to Castle Cove Beach, was closed by the local authority in 2001 due to safety concerns following landslips and fell into a state of disrepair.

However following a sustained community campaign, Dorset Council said it was safe to reopen and has begun the legal process to try and restore the popular route.

Now, as predicted by Mr Askew, there has been another landslip.

Mr Askew, whose family have lived on Old Castle Road for the past 40 years, has previously raised safety concerns about the path - and said he believed the risk of landslips on the Underbarn to be higher than ever.

Although the Underbarn is officially closed, people are using a dirt track that follows part of the route and Mr Askew says this has been blocked.

Read more: Landowner says Underbarn Walk too dangerous to re-open

Mr Askew said: "It is pretty ironic that only a few days after the council said it was stable the path is now blocked.

"It is my neighbour's land that has slipped. Mine is still on its way. We have a view of the beach that we have never had in years.

"It has blocked off the path. People going along the path (at the weekend) had to go down the slope to the beach because the path was blocked.

"The council may clear the landslips but it is only a matter of time before it happens again.

"The reason it closed in the first place was for landslips and as we see every day it has not gone away it has increased. It beggars belief really."

Read more: Underbarn Walk at Castle Cove in Weymouth may re-open

Steve Elsworth, from Friends of Castle Cove Beach, told the Echo previously that he didn't think the landslips are serious and was still hopeful for the reopening of the path.

Dorset Council has been contacted for comment.

The Echo has reported on numerous landslips along the Dorset coast in recent weeks amid a very wet winter which has made the cliffs very unstable.

This included a dramatic landslip on Lulworth Cove caught on camera on February 11 and boulders from a cliff falling onto a footpath at Durdle Door on February 23. 

There has also been movement on the South West Coast Path on Portland and at Bowleaze Cove in Weymouth, both last month. West Dorset cliffs have also seen significant falls this winter.