Shippards Chine + Afton chalk downs Flashcards
What is the meaning of the word “chine”?
It is the local name for a small valley.
Describe the location and the general nature of the ground at Shippards Chine and what effect the sea is having on it.
The ground has a predominantly sandy nature to it and is very easily eroded. Due to the South-Westerly facing position, this location is very exposed to stormy weather. This, combined with the sea, is producing a rate of erosion of around 1m per year or more. Rainfall also helps to increase the rate of erosion in this area.
What has been done to help protect the road which runs along Shippards Chine and the Afton Chalk Downs?
The road has been relocated further back from the cliff edge and will apparently be safe for approximately another 50 years, however this could be viewed as very optimistic.
In the Winter of 1980/81, early warning instrumentation was installed to allow the road to be used until a time when significant movement was occurring. This included 5 tiltmeters which recorded the tilt of the chalk blocks in the vicinity and were linked to traffic signals at either end of the threatened section and to the police station at Newport.
In addition to this, more substatial remedial measures were installed in 2003/4. A series of concrete piles approximately 27.5m in length have been installed along the Afton chalk downs and anchored back to help prevent any further rock failure. They also include monitoring instrumentation and the concrete was made to appear a similar colour to the chalk in order to prevent spoling the appearance of the chalk cliff.
