Location: Hope Gap and Cuckmere Haven Grid reference: TV 511 977 (South Hill CP)
Updated: July 2015
Completed by: Jason Lock
Site information:
Physical description
Access routes
Parking
Ownership/access
Exposed coastal site. High cliff line running down to Cuckmere Haven.
On a high spring tide there is no beach. Surf zone extends up to the cliff
line. Exposed beach at Cuckmere Haven with fast flowing river.
Leave the A259 from Seaford, drive through Seaford suburbs to South
Hill Car Park. On a low tide access to the beach is via steps leading down
from the cliff line. On a high tide follow foot path down to Cuckmere
Haven beach.
Parking for coaches and minibuses (free)
National Trust and Seaford Town Council, public access.
Emergency procedures:
Escape routes
Emergency contact numbers
Nearest telephone
Mobile phone coverage
Nearest hospital
Ambulance/rescue procedure
Off beach at Hope Gap and up steps to car park or East (at low tide)
along wave cut platform to Cuckmere Beach. Birling Gap road to the
A259 to Seaford or Eastbourne. If on beach at Hope Gap and steps
collapse await rescue; do not attempt the walk along exposed rocky
shore to Cuckmere Haven.
Juniper Hall: 01306 734501
Duty phone: 07751 288196
Back down the track to South Hill CP, residential suburb of Seaford.
Very poor to none, will occasionally pick up French network on beach
Eastbourne district general hospital: Kings Drive, Eastbourne, East
Sussex BN21 2UD
Dial 999
Main hazards:
Cliff line
Waves & tides
Jetsam
Car park
Extreme weather
Steps down to the beach
Cliff line protected by a temporary fence. Students should not be left
unattended in the car park. Student are not permitted to work directly
under the crumbling cliffs.
Students should not access the beach during high spring tides and are
not permitted onto the beach without an FSC tutor present.
Tutor to inform students of potential hazards and check area to be
worked by students
Tutor to inform students of potential hazards and pedestrian areas
Exposure to high winds and heavy rain any time of year / sun & high UV
levels during spring and summer months
During wet weather these steps will become slippery
This site information working card is to be read in conjunction
with the following generic risk assessments:
 Out of the classroom
 Marine environments
 Minibus travel
Site specific risk assessment:
5
1
Minor Injury
Injury / Illness
Major Injury
Fatality / Multiple
Unlikely
Outcome
Steps onto beach
Car Park
4x3
12
2x4
8
2
3
4
5
Often
4
Sometimes
3
Infrequent
2
Rarely
1
Inconvenience
Worst
case
outcomes
x
Likelihood
Risk rating
All
Public
Non-FSC Staff
Students
FSC Employee
Hazards
Risk rating with controls
Risk without
controls
Persons at Risk
Total
Risk
Rating
Control Measures
Likelihood
4
2
Tutors should brief groups not run down steps and to be aware of slippery
surfaces when wet.
Tutors should brief groups how to behave while walking between Minibus /
Coach and the beach.
To be read in conjunction with Generic "Out of Classroom" and Generic Environment "Marine", “Minibus
Travel” and "Rural" Risk Assessments