A popular Fife beach was closed following a dramatic landslide.
A safety cordon has been thrown up around the Castle Sands in St Andrews following fears parts of the cliff face could be unstable.
Fife Council said the decision to close was taken in the interest of public safety, with officials insisting the move is only temporary and that a “long-term solution” is being sought.
The local authority is set to monitor the area, but urged members of the public to stay away in the meantime.
Details of the closure were contained in a statement released by the council yesterday.
Cliff-top erosion has become increasingly severe in recent months and heavy rain is being blamed for a landslide at the beauty spot.
A council spokeswoman said they had no option but to shut the beach.
“Fife Council has decided to temporarily close the Castle Sands beach in St Andrews to the public,” she confirmed.Precaution”This decision has been taken as a precaution in the interest of public safety due to recent cliff-top erosion and a small landslide caused by heavy rainfall.
“Fences and a warning sign have been put in place to let members of the public know to stay clear.”
Robbie Blyth, a beach and coastal officer with the local authority, said efforts to ensure the beach could reopen were under way, but gave no indication of any timescale for what could be fairly major works.
“We took the decision in the interests of safety, and apologise for the inconvenience caused,” Mr Blyth said. “We will now work together with other organisations to find a long-term solution.”
Fife Council, as the land manager responsible for the beach, will continue to monitor the site.
The spokeswoman stressed the West Sands, Bruce Embankment and East Sands are not affected and remain open.
It is less than two years since the last closure of the Castle Sands.
Back in August 2008 a significant slide of grass and soil caused the beach to be fenced off. It reopened a short time later.