BCP Council remain tight-lipped over the exact reasons why a popular beach path remains cordoned off.

Officers have closed off the East Cliff zig zag following “variations” caused by the elements.

However, they have refused to directly answer any questions over exactly what was discovered which led to the decision to shut the path.

Bournemouth Echo:

The Daily Echo asked a series of questions about the discovery, following the council’s Facebook post on Friday evening.

Read more: Zig zag path to beach cordoned off for 'monitoring' after safety inspection

These include what was discovered during the site inspection to lead to the decision, when will the further assessment take place, should people avoid the beach area below and also, if the council are assessing for a potential landslip.

Instead, the council issued a statement saying: “We continually survey our cliffs for changes, and always increase checks at this time of year when the elements can lead to variations.

“As a result of this routine monitoring, we have found some parts at the East Cliff zig zag which require further assessment and we continue to closely monitor the area.

“The East Cliff Zig Zag remains temporarily closed whilst these checks take place. For access to the beach on foot heading west, residents should use the East Cliff Slope adjacent to the Russell Cotes Museum and heading east, use Tofts Zig Zag located opposite the Albany Apartments.”

Bournemouth Echo:

The East Cliff path starts near the Jon Egging memorial and leads to Bournemouth beach.

Read more: East Cliff Lift: Will the cliff side lift ever be restored?

On Thursday, the council announced major plans to transform the seafront following an £18million government cash injection.

The council said the cash would allow the prom at East Cliff to be reopened with a long-term vision to reinstate a new cliff lift.

The clifftop pathway near the Jon egging Memorial was ripped apart by a landslip in April 2016, and the toilet block and café were obliterated.

The East Cliff lift, built in 1908, was also damaged in the incident, and to this day remains out of action.

Last week, a major rockfall took place along the Dorset coast at West Bay.

The fall at East Beach near Bridport comes just days after authorities warned that rockfalls were likely after heavy rainfall across the region.