NEWS
APRIL 2008 |
Shoreline Management Plan
Island residents and businesses with an interest in the coast will be asked to contribute to a major shoreline plan over the next year.
The Council is preparing an updated Shoreline Management Plan which will review an original document published in 1997.
The Plan will assess the risks associated with coastal processes over the next 100 years and how to reduce their effects in a sustainable way. It will look at erosion and coastal flooding and how to balance environmental, social and financial issues.
Responsibility for management of the Island's coastal defences against erosion and flooding is shared between the Council and the Environment Agency. The updated Plan will be prepared using guidelines set down by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). |
Learning about the Island's Coast
The Isle of Wight Coastal Visitors' Centre at Ventnor is now open for the coming season.
The Centre, at Salisbury Gardens, operates to educate and inspire people about the Island's coastal environment and also showcases the work of the Council's coastal management service.
This summer season, as with previous years, there will be exhibitions about the Island's dynamic coastline and the effects of erosion, as well as about special habitats, geology and items of historic interest.
The Centre also has a technical library (non-lending) open to the public on weekdays and a new public study room.
For schools and groups there are science and geography field courses, as well as rockpool rambles during the May half-term, and family fun days. Last year more than 3,450 pupils visited the Centre.
The Centre is open Mondays to Fridays from 10am to 4pm. Entry is free for under 16s and £1 for those aged 16 or over.
For more information on the Centre you can call 01983 855400 or visit www.coastalwight.gov.uk/coastalcentre.
For Education Programmes visit www.coastalwight.gov.uk/education
For Events visit www.coastalwight.gov.uk/events |
MARCH 2008 |
Coastal defence defects
Members of the public are being encouraged to contact the Council if they spot any defects in the Island 's coastal defences.
The Council's Centre for the Coastal Environment at Ventnor is responsible for inspecting and monitoring Council-owned coastal defences.
The Centre also carries out repairs to maximise the life of coastal defence structures owned or maintained by the Council. These structures include seawalls, railings, revetments, groynes, slipways, navigation aids, steps and breakwaters.
If you have any concerns or questions relating to coastal defences you should call the Centre on 857220. |
GPS Monitoring in Ventnor
The Council's coastal management section has been conducting Global Positioning System (GPS) surveys in Ventnor to help accurately monitor ground movement over a long timescale.
Fifty permanent ground markers were installed around the town in 2003 and accurately surveyed using differential GPS, which uses satellites to locate a point to an accuracy of about 7mm. Repeat surveys were conducted in 2005 and 2006.
So far the surveys have not detected any significant movement of the ground markers over this short period, but further surveys over the coming years and decades may reveal important information. |
FEBRUARY 2008 |
Special new role for Centre
The Council's Centre for the Coastal Environment at Ventnor is linking with the Channel Coast Observatory at Southampton for a special research project.
The pair have been selected by the coastal group, SCOPAC (Standing Conference on Problems Associated with the Coastline), to carry out a review of its research activities. SCOPAC, of which the Isle of Wight Council is a member, works to promote sustainable shoreline management in the coastal zone of central southern England. It also carries out research into coastal issues including climate change, environmental change and coastal defence.
It is hoped the review will assist towards future research into projects including adapting to climate change and coastal defence advice for local Councils.
More information on the work of SCOPAC is available at www.scopac.org.uk . |
Rainfall on the Undercliff
Keeping tabs on rainfall patterns on the Undercliff is one of the key roles of the Council's coastal management section.
Regular monitoring via a series of recording stations helps act as an early warning system against ground movement triggered by rain.
Ventnor has a very long record of rainfall data, going back to 1830, and this has been supplemented by two automated weather stations, one at Ventnor Park, and another at Castlehaven.
The historical rainfall record, together with automated monitoring and records of past ground movement events, has allowed the creation of an effective forecasting system.
It means the Council's coastal management section can publish public advice when rainfall patterns approach those seen during times of more active ground movement. This helps focus attention on areas of the Undercliff at a heightened risk of ground movement.
You can get more information on the monitoring by contacting James Houghton at coastal management on 857220. |
NOVEMBER 2007 |
New Undercliff guide published
The Council's Centre for the Coastal Environment at Ventnor has produced a new guide promoting the sustainable management of ground instability in the Undercliff.
The illustrated guide will give practical information for all those with an interest in the Undercliff – which extends for 12km from Blackgang to Bonchurch, and includes the town of Ventnor and the villages of Bonchurch, St Lawrence, Niton and Blackgang.
The guide has been developed following a series of studies and investigations undertaken since 1987, looking at landslide risk and taking account of climate change.
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Island represented at international event
Representatives from the Council's Centre for the Coastal Environment at Ventnor attended the Institute of Civil Engineers International Conference on Coastal Management 2007, held in Cardiff at the end of October.
The conference highlighted innovation and best practice in coastal management, with Isle of Wight Council officers Helen Fairbank, Senior Coastal Scientist, and Emma Mathie, Coastal Engineer, presenting a technical paper on managing coastal hazards in a changing climate.
The paper presented the results from the European Response Project (Responding to the risks from climate change), a three-year initiative supported by the European Community, launched in 2006.
The £1 million project was led by the centre for the coastal environment and included partners from the UK, Italy, France and Poland. |
Press Releases
Isle of Wight Hosts International Conference
The Isle of Wight Centre for the Coastal Environment organised an International Conference on 'Landslides and Climate Change - Challenges and Solutions'. The Conference was held in Ventnor from 21st to 24th May 2007. For more information, please see the Conference website - www.coastalwight.gov.uk/conference
The response from delegates attending the Isle of Wight Council's International Conference on' Landslides and Climate Change - Challenges and solutions' has been very positive according to Chairman of the Organising Committee Dr Robin McInnes OBE. He said, "Fifty five technical papers were presented at the conference and in addition there was very useful discussion at the end of each of the conference sessions. We are currently drawing together conclusions and recommendations which will be considered by the Organising Committee and which will be published on our website by mid-July. We believe that the conference findings will help the Isle of Wight in addressing the physical problems that are likely to arise as a result of the impacts of climate change as well as supporting our case for national and European funding to respond to the impacts on the ground."
"In addition to the technical sessions we had a full day of field meetings where delegates were able to visit sites in Ventnor, the West Wight, Seaview and Sandown Bay where we were able to describe the management responses to cliff falls, erosion and landslip and to exchange ideas on good practice. The weather was superb and the delegates left on Friday and Saturday with a very favourable and memorable impression of the Island. The Organising Committee is particularly grateful to everyone who has contributed to the success of this event, particularly Ventnor Town Council who made the Winter Gardens available to us."
"During the event, the council made an important and lasting commitment to address the causes and impacts of climate change through its signing of the Nottingham Declaration, recognising in doing so, that climate change is likely to be one of the key drivers of change within the Isle of Wight community over the next century. The declaration will commit the council to a significant decrease in greenhouse gas emissions from its own operations as well as encouraging all sectors of the local community and its partners to take the opportunity to act in a similar way."
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Jan 2007 - 'Response' (Responding to the Risks from Climate Change) Project
The Isle of Wight Council's Centre for the Coastal Environment has led a three year study investigating the impact of climate change on Europe's coastlines. A four day international conference entitled 'Landslides and Climate Change' will be held in May 2007 at Ventnor, Isle of Wight.
The results of the £1m project 'Response' (Responding to the Risks from Climate Change) have been launched in Brussels. Financial support for the project came from the European Union's LIFE Environment Programme (L'Instrument Financier de L'Environnement), with partners in the UK, France, Italy and Poland.
Project Director, Dr Robin McInnes OBE, Isle of Wight Council's Coastal Manager, said: "The 'Response' project has provided a framework for understanding and preparing for the impacts of climate change around Europe's dynamic and varied coastlines". He added: "Through a detailed examination of five European study areas (two in the UK, two in France and one in Italy), we have developed a technique to assess the current and future impacts of climate change on a wide range of coastal landforms".
In the UK the study examined coastline areas of north-east England and central southern England, including the Isle of Wight. The 'Response' project assessed the impacts of climate change from both physical and economic standpoints. The research work developed a methodology for preparing coastal evolution, hazard and risk maps to inform the planning process and guide new development away from areas exposed to increasing risks from climate change. The new methodology has been welcomed by Philip Owen, the Head of DG Environment's LIFE Unit, who attended the Brussels project launch.
The study involved France 's major public institution in the Geosciences field BRGM ologiques et Minie`res) and the Italian National (Bureau de Recherches Ge Research Centre for Hydrogeological Hazards (IRPI). 'Response' has attracted significant interest from the international and European scientific communities. Outputs from the project include a Training Pack on map preparation, an 80 page 'Good Practice Guide' about managing coastal risks, a 15 minute DVD and a 1,000 page technical report (www.coastalwight.gov.uk/response). The information has been published in English, French and Italian.
Following the project launch a wide-ranging dissemination programme will take place in 2007. Dr McInnes advised: "This includes a four day international conference on the subject of 'Landslides and Climate Change', to be held at Ventnor from 21-24 May (www.coastalwight.gov.uk/conference).
The Conference will be opened by Dr Pedro Basabe from the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction headquarters in Geneva . The event is expected to attract up to 200 worldwide experts from over 30 countries." He added: "The 'Response' project is one of a number of ways which the Isle of Wight Council is addressing the issue of climate change. The impact on coastal communities is a major consideration for the Island."
Councillor Ian Ward, Isle of Wight Council's Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, congratulates Dr McInnes and his team for their excellent work and adds: "The 'Response' project will enable us to be better informed, plan more accurately for the future and has firmly put the Isle of Wight on the worldwide stage as a major contributor in dealing with international climate change issues".
Latest Government forecasts on sea level rises over the next 100 years require an allowance of one metre to be included in coastal defence planning. This is a considerable increase over previous estimates and could have significant implications for coastal defence structures, coastal towns and villages and low lying areas. In addition extensive areas of environmentally important inter-tidal habitats will be lost.
The Isle of Wight Council, and other UK Coastal Protection Authorities, have been leading the preparation of a series of Coastal Defence Strategy Studies to examine coastal defence options up to 2100. A study spanning 100 years has been completed for the Island 's north-east coast. Ongoing studies of Sandown Bay, the Undercliff and the West Wight coastlines are expected to be completed in the summer of 2007, with further studies of the East Yar Valley and Bembridge Harbour in progress.
Work has started on bringing together the Council's full range of initiatives that contribute to managing the impact of climate change. This includes a review of the Shoreline Management Plan which will provide information on coastal defence planning. Later in 2007 the Isle of Wight Council is aiming to sign up to the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change (www.nottinghamdeclaration.org.uk).
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OBE for Isle of Wight Council Coastal Manager
The Isle of Wight Council's Coastal Manager, Dr Robin McInnes, has been awarded an OBE in HM the Queen's New Years Honours List.
Dr McInnes, who has worked for Isle of Wight local authorities since 1972, was awarded the OBE for “chairmanship of the Coastal Defence Groups of England and Wales and services to coast protection". Dr McInnes worked for the Isle of Wight County Council from 1972 until 1987 and as Deputy Borough Surveyor and subsequently Borough Surveyor of South Wight Borough Council until local government reorganisation in 1995. On the creation of the Unitary Authority he was appointed as Coastal Manager for the Isle of Wight.
Dr McInnes is a chartered civil engineer and geologist and is a Fellow of both the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Geological Society of London. In 1996 he established the Isle of Wight Centre for the Coastal Environment within the Engineering Services Department of the Isle of Wight Council. This provided a focus for addressing the serious problems facing the Isle of Wight coastline in terms of coastal erosion and landslip, particularly in the context of potentially worsening situations arising from the predicted impacts of climate change; the Centre celebrates its tenth anniversary this year.
Specialising in coastal and landslide management, Dr McInnes has published more than forty technical papers in these fields and has also written eleven books about the Isle of Wight. These have included the Book of the Solent which he edited jointly with Maldwin Drummond, former Commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron, and this summer he will be publishing a major new work entitled The Book of the Isle of Wight Coast.
Dr McInnes has been actively involved in coastal and geotechnical issues at an international level and has advised the United Nations, the European Commission and the Council of Europe on landslide-related problems. He has chaired the Coastal Defence Groups of England and Wales for the last five years and has been Technical Chairman of the Standing Conference on Problems Associated with the Coastline (SCOPAC) since 1995. A particular interest has been management of the Ventnor Undercliff, which is the largest urban landslide complex in north-western Europe. In partnership with the European Commission and the government he has published non-technical advice and guidance for decision-makers in relation to both coastal issues and management of ground instability problems. Dr McInnes said: “I am honoured and delighted to have received the award of an OBE. This reflects the enormous support I have received from my technical colleagues within the Isle of Wight Centre for the Coastal Environment and more widely within the Isle of Wight Council. It would not have been possible to attract investment for major coast protection schemes as well as research without ongoing support from elected members over many years”.
Councillor Andy Sutton, Leader of the Isle of Wight Council, said: “Robin McInnes is recognised as a specialist in the fields of coastal and landslide management at an international level. I am delighted that he has been honoured in this way. Robin and his team have been solely responsible for drawing in European funding not only to the Island but to the UK. This valuable contribution to the Island will continue to be fully supported by the new administration at County Hall".
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‘Isle of Wight 'World Class Coast' study is approved
A study aimed at assessing the possibility of the Isle of Wight's West Wight coastline being designated as a ‘World Heritage Site' or as a ‘European GeoPark', on account of its unique geology and geomorphology, has been approved for funding by the Leader+ Programme.
The £50,000 study, which will be undertaken by the Isle of Wight Council's Centre for the Coastal Environment, working in partnership with geologists from Dinosaur Isle, and other Council officers, is expected to take ten months to complete. The bid, which was submitted to the Isle of Wight Economic Partnership, will not only provide the case for a possible geological designation for the mainly undeveloped west Wight coastline but will also provide a range of educational aids for Island schools.
The study, which will involve extensive public consultation, hopes to establish the most suitable designation for a length of coastline extending from Totland westwards to the Needles and along the south-west coast of the Island to St Catherine's Point. However, the study will examine the feasibility of other coastal frontages of geological importance being included if they meet the designation criteria.
Dr Robin McInnes, the Island's Coastal Manager, who submitted the proposal, said: “the rocks exposed around the Isle of Wight's coastline are some of the most complete successions to be found in the world and, combined with the fact that the Isle of Wight is now regarded as the most important site for dinosaur remains in Europe, we believe that there is considerable potential for contributing to environmental tourism and more widely to the west Wight economy if a designation of this kind can be obtained”.
“A recent visitor's survey along Dorset's ‘Jurassic coastline World heritage site' revealed that approximately one third of all visitors came to the area because it was designated as a world heritage site”. Dr McInnes said: “The Isle of Wight was of course originally joined to the Dorset coast and one possibility is to open discussions with colleagues from Dorset and Devon County Councils to establish whether an extension of their site to include part of the Isle of Wight might be possible. Another option is to explore a designation as part of the ‘European GeoPark network' of important geological sites, or at the very least to highlight that our coastline is of a ‘world class quality' in terms of its geology”.
Councillor Ian Ward, Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Planning, said: “I am very pleased that this proposal has been approved for funding. The study will not only provide an opportunity to highlight, once again, the special qualities and interest of our coastline but should also contribute to the coastal economies of the frontages concerned”.
To view the 'World Class Coast' project website, please click here.
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Isle of Wight guide helps MP's understand the coastline
An eighty page "Non-technical guide to coastal defence" that was prepared by the Isle of Wight Council's Centre for the Coastal Environment, will assist Members of Parliament with coastal constituencies in understanding coastal-related problems. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is paying the Isle of Wight Council to distribute 300 copies of the guide to MPs in every coastal constituency as part of an awareness-raising programme. The illustrated guide was written by the Isle of Wight Council's Coastal Manager, Dr Robin McInnes, and launched at the House of Commons in December 2003. Since then the book has attracted considerable interest and taking account of the importance of coastal issues, Defra has supported financially the purchase and distribution of the books in order to better inform Members of Parliament and other key consultees on the rapid advances that have taken place in terms of understanding coastal defence issues.
Dr Robin McInnes said "over the last ten years there have been enormous advances in thinking in relation to the changing coastline, the natural environment of the coast and coastal waters and issues related to climate change. Whilst these concepts are now well understood within the profession much wider dissemination is required in order to ensure that information is provided to all those with an interest in the coastline. Members of Parliament are regarded as a key group to whom we believe the new guide will prove particularly helpful."
The 'Non-technical guide to coastal defence' was commissioned from the Isle of Wight Centre for the Coastal Environment by the Standing Conference on Problems Associated with the Coastline ( SCOPAC ) which celebrates its twentieth anniversary this year as the first Regional Coastal Group in England and Wales. SCOPAC is a network of coast protection authorities, County Councils and other organisations interested in shoreline management along the central south coast of England , extending from Lyme Bay in the west to Shoreham-by-Sea in the east, including the Isle of Wight. SCOPAC was founded following a two day conference on ‘Problems associated with the coastline' held on the Isle of Wight in 1985. Since then SCOPAC has commissioned nearly a million pounds worth of research in order to improve knowledge and understanding of coastal issues along the central south coast of England. SCOPAC has been chaired by officers from the Isle of Wight since its inception (David Court, former Deputy County Surveyor of the Isle of Wight County Council 1985-1995 and Dr Robin McInnes, Coastal Manager for the Isle of Wight Council since 1995).
More information about the non-technical guide to coastal defence can be obtained from the Isle of Wight Centre for the Environment's website at www.coastalwight.gov.uk or by telephoning 01983 855400.
NEWS ARCHIVE
Press Release Date: 21/12/2004
Government funds Ventnor landslip research project
A £275,000 bid for special funding to allow the completion of a major ground investigation of central Ventnor has been confirmed.
The bid was submitted by the Isle of Wight Council's Centre for the Coastal Environment to the Department of Transport. The funding will allow the second phase of geological investigations to be completed, which should provide a much improved level of understanding of the mechanisms of ground movement as well as options for improvements to ground stability using innovative drainage measures.
The £275,000 study follows on from the programme of boreholes undertaken during the spring of 2002 and will complete a geological cross-section extending from Upper Ventnor down to the sea cliffs; one of the key objectives is to drill a deep borehole through the ridge on the seaward side of Park Avenue at Ventnor in order to understand the complex geology at this location.
Dr Robin McInnes, the Island's Coastal Manager, said “we learnt a great deal from the previous ground investigation but as well as answering a number of questions it raised new issues particularly in relation to the sub-surface geology through Ventnor Park and patterns of groundwater movements within central western Ventnor. We are anxious to confirm the geological and hydro-geological models in order that we can plan for the impacts of climate change, which could increase winter rainfall by between 26-30% by the year 2080. We already know from our meteorological records that winter rainfall has increased by 150mm over the last century and we are expecting this to increase considerably over the next decades”.
“It is recognised that rainfall alongside coastal erosion are the two triggering factors in terms of ground instability. Much of the coastal frontage has been protected through a range of important coast protection schemes extending from Monk's Bay at Bonchurch to Steephill Cove over the last twenty years. We now need to consider how we can reduce risks of further instability arising from climate change through innovative drainage techniques. The purpose of this investigation programme is to bring forward solutions in order that we can talk to key government departments on the opportunities for maintaining ground conditions at their current summer stability levels over the next century or so.
The study, which will be led by the Centre for the Coastal Environment will also involve geotechnical consultants Halcrow. The results will be displayed at the Isle of Wight Coastal Visitors' Centre at Dudley Road, Ventnor, and through a colour leaflet for Ventnor residents.
END
Press Release Date: 05/08/2004
Islands coastal team celebrates two euro cash awards
The Isle of Wight Councils Centre for the Coastal Environment, based in Ventnor, was this week celebrating news of its second award of European funding within four weeks. Earlier in July notification was received of the award of financial support for a 1.9 million Euro project called EMDI (Espace Manche Development Initiative) which had been submitted by the Arc Manche network of French Regions and English counties; the Environment and Technical Group of Arc Manche is chaired by the Islands Coastal Manager, Dr Robin McInnes.
The purpose of this project is to exchange information on a wide range of coastal management topics including the erosion, landslip, aggregate dredging, fisheries and coastal tourism within the Channel/La Manche region. Dr McInnes said ³there are many common problems on both sides of the Channel taking account of the similar geology and coastlines and our joint interest in issues such as the impacts of dredging, the environment and coastal tourism. This funding will allow us to develop joint projects and to avoid overlap and duplication of research. One of our key tasks will be to identify existing and proposed coastal-related research being undertaken by local authorities, universities and scientific institutions on both sides of the Channel in order that we can work more effectively together and plan activities of greatest need to coastal communities.
The second project approved this week has been funded by the European Commission¹s Leonardo Da Vinci Education Programme. The OIKOS Project (Originating Innovative methods to teach Knowledge in earth and natural sciences from an Original and combined use of applicative Software) amounts to 600,000 Euros. The project will provide the opportunity for use of new technology in addressing coastal and geotechnical-related research and in providing coastal information to people in a user-friendly format. The proposal, which is being led by the University of Sannio in Southern Italy, arose following a meeting held on the Isle of Wight during the International Conference on Instability & Planning and Management held in Ventnor in May 2002.
Councillor Mrs Terry Butchers, Portfolio-holder on the Isle of Wight Council¹s Executive for Coastal Issues, said I am very pleased that it is proving possible to access European funding for important research projects such as these. Improved understanding of coastal issues, both now and in the future, is vital for the wellbeing of Island residents and for our economy. The approach being adopted by the Centre for the Coastal Environment within the Council presents an excellent model for achieving inward investment, thereby allowing the Centre to advance its research and knowledge base much further than would otherwise be possible.
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