A landslip at a coastal village battered by high winds and heavy rain has blocked accesses to properties.
Cliffs near Gardenstown’s New Ground, beside a recycling skip on the west side of the tiny port, gave way under the deluge yesterday, leaving boulders strewn across the road.
The slip has also left homeowners in the scenic village unable to reach their garages.
Community leaders now fear more rain could cause further damage and have urged people to stay away from the road.
Large rocks have been left visible at the top of the cliff, which could fall if the bad weather persists.
Ron Beaty, the chairman of the village’s community council, said last night: “The whole area near the skip is shut – it’s cordoned-off.
“There’s an awful lot of rocks hanging and there’s no one really sure what’s going to happen.
“It’s sheds and garages underneath it, and a lot of people have their fingers crossed.
“It’s a possibility that things could come down. No one has been hurt, though, and if everyone keeps away from it – which is everyone’s advice – no one will be.
“We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”
Harbour chairman, Michael Watt, added: “With all the rain, there has been a landslip.
“It’s also dislodged a large boulder – the council has been down and closed the road. Probably, that boulder will have to be removed.”
Mr Watt said that nothing like the land slip had happened in the west of the village before.
“It’s more the east side of the village where we get landslips,” he said.