A main route hit by a succession of landslides could remain shut until the summer while specialists battle to make the cliff face safe.

The Road of Remembrance in Folkestone has been closed since January 27 after the first landslip left the road inaccessible with trees and soil covering the route.

A few weeks later an even bigger landslip again sent trees and debris tumbling down blocking the road with huge mounds of earth and plants.

Specialist teams have been on site to carry out work to try and prevent future slips from happening, but Kent County Council says more time is needed.

The authority says: “Work is progressing well but there is still more to do before we can be confident the cliff face represents a reduced risk of slipping again in the future.

“We have therefore taken the difficult decision to extend our road closure for up to three months from March 11.

“We do not anticipate we will need to keep the road closed for this long.

“We know this will be difficult news for local people, but safety is a top priority and we must ensure risk of further landslips is reduced before the road is cleared of debris and reopened to the public.”

Trees which were dying, diseased or dangerous from the war bunker to Marine Terrace, have already been cut down and reduced in height.

Folkestone and Hythe District Council is also working on a plan to manage the part of the cliff face it is responsible for at the northern section of Road of Remembrance.

A number of landslips have caused concern for residents in recent weeks.

The children’s play area in the Lower Leas Coastal Park remains shut.

Madeira Walk, along The Leas, was cordoned off earlier this month following fears for public safety over cracks in the pavement leading to the landslide forcing the play area’s closure.

Cracks in the newly laid tarmac began to appear on the popular coastal path, soon after repairs had taken place.

In another incident, on Sunday, trees fell down the bank near Sunny Sands, narrowly missing pedestrians.

The dramatic moment was caught on camera and received a huge reaction after being posted in the Folkestone Residents Group on Facebook.