Service Description: The Isle of Wight Centre for the Coastal Environment (IWCCE) was established in 1997 to provide a focus for the council's growing activities on a local, regional, national and transnational scale in relation to coastal and geotechnical issues. Since it was formed the success of the IWCCE has led to the development of specialist services in coastal management and geological-related fields. The Isle of Wight Council is the Coast Protection Authority for the Isle of Wight.
Also known as:- Coastal Defences, Coastal Erosion, Erosion, Geo-Technical Services, Ground Stability, Landslides, Shoreline Management Plan
Answer: Information on rates of coastal erosion is provided in the Isle of Wight Coast Shoreline Management Plan which is held at the Isle of Wight Coastal Visitors' Centre at Ventnor. A more detailed study of coastal erosion risk is nearing completion highlighting those areas of the Island’s coastline at risk from coastal erosion, landslip and flooding; this work is expected to be completed later in the summer. Average rates of coastal erosion for the Island’s northern shores, where the coastline is unprotected, ranges from 0.2-0.5m per annum. Those sections of the coastline which comprise chalk clifflines erode at the rate of between 0.1 and 0.2m per annum. Weak sandstone cliffs, such as those found in Sandown Bay, can be expected to weather and retreat at a rate of approximately 0.1m per annum. The undefended south-west coast of the Island, from Blackgang to Freshwater, has a coastal erosion rate of up to 1.5m per annum at Blackgang during particularly wet and stormy winters, whilst the remaining frontages retreat at an average of 0.3-0.5m per annum. For more site specific information, please contact the Isle of Wight Centre for the Coastal Environment (telephone 01983 857220), and visit our website at www.coastalwight.gov.uk to hear about our latest research into coastal and climate change.