Warning of further collapse at Hurst Castle as strong winds set to batter area

THE public have been warned to stay away from Hurst Castle amid fears severe weather could cause further collapse to its wall after a huge section fell into the sea.

English Heritage (EH) has today (Wednesday) announced there is a “real chance” of further damage to the historic monument at Milford when strong winds lash the coast over the coming days.

As reported by the A&T last week, part of the 19th century east wing collapsed just days before work was due to start to underpin the foundations.

EH is now working to stabilise that part of the building using 4,000 tons of shingle, but the charity says the adverse weather forecast has heightened the risk and is urging people to steer clear.

Fences have been installed around the site of the damage and a security team is on guard.

Rob Woodside, estates director for EH, said: “This week’s high winds pose a real threat to the sections on either side of the breach, which are now unstable as a result of last week’s collapse.

“We are working incredibly hard on our plans to stabilise the wall. The first stage is under way and will see the arrival of thousands of tons of shingle over the next two weeks.”

With changes in longshore drift, rising sea levels and more frequent storms, Hurst Castle is one of the most difficult heritage sites to protect in England.

On 26th February, a massive section of the wall crumbled after the sea exposed and undercut its foundations. English Heritage was just days away from starting a £1m programme of works.

As reported by the A&T in January, castle sources had warned coastal erosion beneath the east wing was leading to “real fears” the whole wall could collapse without immediate action.

EH had been accused of being too slow to heed these warnings, but the organisation says that in recent years it had invested £2.25m in a series of conservation projects at the castle, including in 2019 a £750,000 scheme to stabilise the foundations of the west wing.

A spokesperson told the A&T: “English Heritage is devastated by the damage to Hurst Castle and we take what has happened very seriously indeed.

“The case has been reported to the Charity Commission and we are undertaking a detailed review to look at what lessons can be learned.”

The castle, which is managed on behalf of EH by Hurst Marine, remains closed to the public.