Huge landslide damages 108-year-old seafront funicular railway

The Edwardian railway in Bournemouth remains partially submerged by stone, rock, soil and other debris

The collapsed cliff next to the East Cliff funicular railway on Bournemouth Beach (PA)

A 108-year-old funicular railway has been severely damaged after a huge landslide devastated a popular coastal resort in Bournemouth.

The Edwardian East Cliff railway remains partially submerged by stone, rock, soil and other debris after the path at the top of the 100ft verge collapsed.

The site, between Bournemouth and Boscombe piers, was cordoned off by council staff on Saturday night following concerns about the cliff top's safety. The debris was found on Sunday morning.

Members of the public look up at the collapsed cliff next to the East Cliff funicular railway on Bournemouth Beach (PA)

A public toilet block at the bottom of the cliffs was also destroyed and the area remains sealed off.

Nobody was injured during the incident.

Heavy rainfall on the east Dorset coast along with a drop in temperature over the weekend are believed to have activated the landslide.

The collapsed cliff next to the East Cliff funicular railway on Bournemouth Beach (PA)

A cordon will remain around the area for the early part of the week amid concerns of further damage, a Bournemouth Borough Council spokesman said.

The spokesman added: “The seafront parade remains open but areas of at the top and bottom of the affected cliff area remain sealed off.

“Seafront staff noticed signs of cliff movement on Saturday and closed the area off as a precaution. No-one was hurt.”

Additional reporting by Press Association