Plea for more safety measures at Thurstaston cliffs

Apr 9 2008 by Carrie Catterall, Heswall News

‘Make cliffs safer’

RAMBLERS are calling for more safety measures to be put in place after a man fell 80ft in a Wirral beauty spot.

The Wallasey man, believed to be in his 30s, is thought to have slipped off the top of a cliff at The Dungeons, between Thurstaston and Heswall, at 12.48pm on Sunday.

The injured man was rescued by a police helicopter, ambulance and fire services, before being taken to Arrowe Park Hospital with neck and back injuries.

Joan O’Brien, of West Derby, came within metres of the man before he fell.

She said: “Leading up to the incident, I was becoming very concerned for my own safety.

“I was unaware that I was coming up to a dangerous area, but before we knew it, my husband and I were on a steep slushy slope.

“We hoped we would eventually come back onto level land.

“At one point I had to climb an embankment and I am petrified of heights.

“Then I heard an almighty scream and my heart dropped - I realised a man had fallen off the cliff.

“I just think it is ridiculous that there are no real safety measures in place to warn and protect people.

“I had no idea what I was getting myself into when we started that walk.”

Tony Colley, of Thurstaston Hall Farm, said: “I do think the area needs more safety measures, like a hand rail or more signs stating how dangerous the place is.”

But as it is a place of special scientific interest because of its interesting geological features, some say lining it with hand rails and signs would ruin its beauty.

A spokesman from Wirral Council said: “The circumstances surrounding Sunday’s incident at Thurstaston are currently being investigated so it would be inappropriate for us to respond at this time.”

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