**Interviewer:** Alan, can you tell us about the recent landslips that occurred in Bournemouth and their implications?

**Alan Holiday:** Absolutely. We experienced two significant landslips—one on October 9 and another recent one at Durley Chine near Bournemouth Pier. The impacts of these events are quite concerning.

**Interviewer:** What kind of damage have the landslips caused?

**Alan Holiday:** The landslips have pushed about 14 beach huts forward across the promenade, bringing them close to the edge of the beach. As a safety precaution, that area has been cordoned off.

**Interviewer:** What do you think the future holds for these landslips?

**Alan Holiday:** Unfortunately, I believe we will see more of this in the future. With climate change, there’s a real likelihood that mass movements like this will continue and potentially worsen. The problem extends from Poole to Hengistbury Head, meaning further slumping could occur anywhere along that stretch.

**Interviewer:** What kind of remediation efforts would be needed to address this issue?

**Alan Holiday:** Stabilizing the cliffs would involve a serious drainage project, which essentially means integrating heavy-duty nailing into the geology to prevent further slumping. The costs for such work could run into millions, or even hundreds of millions of dollars.

**Interviewer:** What factors contribute to the instability of the cliffs?

**Alan Holiday:** A major concern is the amount of water that seeps into the rocks. If we can’t prevent this moisture from penetrating the rocks, they’re likely to continue slumping. Furthermore, the soil layer is quite thin, and the nutrients essential for plant life are mainly in the topsoil.

**Interviewer:** Can you comment on the structural integrity of the cliffs?

**Alan Holiday:** The material that makes up these cliffs isn’t very strong; it’s estimated to be only about 35 to 50 million years old. This age does not bode well for stability, especially under current climatic conditions.

**Interviewer:** What measures are being taken to ensure public safety in the affected areas?

**Alan Holiday:** Fencing and warning signs have been installed along the promenade to keep people away from the danger zones. Local authorities, including BCP Council’s Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management team, are conducting investigations to assess the situation further.

**Interviewer:** And what about the local wildlife, particularly the goats that graze the cliffs?

**Alan Holiday:** Fortunately, the herd of about 50 goats that manages the vegetation on those steep cliffs were not affected by the landslips. The rangers overseeing the herd have confirmed that no goats were in the enclosure at the time, but they’re keeping a close eye on other enclosures for safety.

**Interviewer:** How can the public stay informed about developments regarding the landslips?

**Alan Holiday:** For updates and more information, residents can follow BBC Dorset on platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), or Instagram.

**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Alan. This situation is certainly intricate and concerning for the community.

**Alan Holiday:** Thank you for having me. It’s important that we stay vigilant and proactive in addressing these challenges.