THE director of the Bournemouth Wheels Festival has reassured visitors that an ‘indefinite’ road closure following a landslip will not affect the popular event.

Jon Weaver spoke after Bournemouth council officials said East Overcliff Drive has now closed for an unknown stretch while work takes place to clear the site.

The road is used to showcase supercars during the Wheels Festival, which this year will take place from June 3 to 5.

Mr Weaver said: “This does not affect the festival.

“The closure is in place to start preparing works to clear the cliff lift.”

He said discussions have taken place to ensure that the closure will not impact the festival.

“At this moment in time, we are confident that the road will be open as usual,” Mr Weaver said.

Councillor Lawrence Williams, Bournemouth cabinet member for tourism, leisure and the arts, added: “I can reiterate what Jon has said.

“The festival will be as much fun as it has been in precious years.

“The safety of our visitors is, of course, paramount - it is the most important consideration we will have.”

Temporary speed limits of 80 miles per hour will be in place in East Overcliff Drive from the eastern junction with Manor Road to the junction with Meyrick Road for the duration of the festival.

Motorbikes, karts, historic Formula 1 cars and supercars will be racing along the road.

There will also be a ‘pop-up stunt area’ on the stretch in between demonstration runs.

Top stunt driver Paul Swift will be displaying tricks and spins in his Ford Focus as part of the festival programme.

East Overcliff Drive had reopened on Wednesday, May 4 following the landslip on Sunday, April 25.

Tonnes of rock and rubble plunged 100ft onto the promenade after a large portion of East Cliff collapsed.

The landslip happened at around 5am, just yards from the Jon Egging Memorial.

The Edwardian funicular railway lift was also damaged, with one of its cars knocked off its rails by the force of the impact.