Section 6 WHALE CHINE TO FRESHWATER BAY

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1 Section 6 WHALE CHINE TO FRESHWATER BAY Introduction The route begins at Whale Chine and follows the Public ROW of the existing coastal footpath to the Lifeboat House at Freshwater Bay. The area is characterised by low, rapidly eroding cliffs and chines small water courses which cut deep narrow valleys in the soft soils. These cause the footpath to retreat a short distance in land to avoid their steep, often muddy slopes, and in some instances provide access to the beach. The whole distance falls within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Heritage Coast. There are iconic views across the Back of the Wight stretching from St Catherine s Point to the Needles. This is one the most important areas in the IOW for fossil finds, including fossil sponges, dinosaur bones and dinosaur footprints which can be seen clearly on the beach near Hanover Point. The National Trust owns a significant area of land on and adjacent to the coastal foot path. 1

2 WhaleChine To Barnes High (Stretch 6) Key map references 1 SZ SZ SZ SZ SZ SZ SZ SZ

3 Ref Location Land type/use and path information Photos and detail Maps SW30 Whale Chine Car Park Car parking at Whale Chine The path from Whale Chine is on ferruginous sand. There is plenty of space for roll back. View back to Blackgang SW30 The path is very close to the cliff edge on Ferruginous sand, but there is plenty of space for roll back Typical view of fast eroding coast SW30 Structure on the cliff edge a wire stay cuts across the path. There is an area of concrete in the location of the existing path. Path needs re-routing around the wires 3

4 There is a large fissure forming towards coast guard cottages crossed by a narrow plank. This requires a proper crossing at this point. A more substantial crossing needed BS1 Steps at Shephard s Chine on Atherfield Clay are slippery when wet. The path formed after a recent land slip is slippery when wet. Steps need a free draining surface BS1 New path at Stocks Cross. After coming down steps to waymarked post turn right up track towards main road. Turn right into Atherfield camp site where a new path will be created to join coastal path. ( New approved Planning Application) BS1 Path made after landslip is slippery when wet Waymark post Path through landslip 4

5 BS3 on Atherfield Clay. Path goes over two large pipes which needs to be filled more substantially. The path is very close to the cliff edge and needs moving back, as does the electric fence surrounding adjoining grazing land. Path very close to cliff edge 5

6 6 Barnes High to Chilton Chine (Stretch 6)

7 Key Map References 9 SZ SZ SZ SZ SZ Ref Location Land type/use and path information Photos and detail Maps BS3 on Atherfield Clay. Path in places very close to the cliff edge with fence close by. Both need to move inland. There is a large fissure on the path Path too close To cliff edge BS58-BS57 on Hampstead Beds & Valley Brickearth. Marsh Chine / Grange Chine Steps down at Marsh Chine need repair work. Slippery when wet. There is access to the beach. Free draining surface needed BS59 Brighstone Holiday Camp. A new path (PROW) was created due to a landslip & some chalets were removed. The Path now passes the chalets on the seaward side, to cross open ground and then goes through Chalets back to the cliff edge and the coastal path. Path through holiday camp 7

8 BS69-BS72 Isle of Wight Pearl Tea rooms. Path on Valley Brickearth. Path necessarily turns inland to main road, and then follows a busy road verge. Alternatively one might cross a green space and the IOW Pearl car park. IOW Pearl car park There is a grass and tarmac verge over the road bridge before the path turns left along west side of Chiltern Chine to return to the coast. There is a café with a picnic area at Isle of Wight Pearl. There might be business opportunities to encourage access Chilton Chine has old steps on one side. But nothing on the East side. Access has to be made around the chine via the road verge. Chilton Chine 8

9 Chilton Chine to Shippard s Chine (Stretch 6) Key map references 14 SZ SZ SZ SZ SZ SZ SZ

10 BS73 and BS78 on Valley Brickearth. Path/steps/gate leading to Mottistone Estate at Sudmoor. Ramblers Gate (Rutherford) - fence alongside needs repair. Recommend the line of the path is fenced off to control cattle along cliff edge. Steps leading to gate BS73 and BS78 on Valley Brickearth. Path and Ramblers Gate (Wheeler) leading to Mottistone Estate at Sudmoor. Wheeler Gate BS78 on Valley Brickearth. Ramblers Gate (Biggles) at the end of Sudmoor with path going round landslip. Ramblers gate Path at Brook Green towards car park follows edge of chine near houses by an old life boat station Historic life boat station which featured in numerous shipwreck rescues. 10

11 Ref Location Land type/use and path information Photos and detail maps BS78 BS79 National Trust land. On Valley Brickearth. Path leading away from Brook car park on BS103. Access to beach. Plenty of roll back Path across grassland BS 98 on Valley Brickearth. Path goes very close to main road. Path then goes close to cliff edge. Possible rollback needed. Path confined between road and cliff edge BS98 on Valley Brickearth. Path very close to cliff edge. Possibility of rollback. Path to be re routed away from cliff edge 11

12 Shippard s Chine to Freshwater Bay Lifeboat Station (Stretch 6) Key map references 21 SZ SZ SZ SZ SZ SZ SZ

13 Ref Location Land type/use and path information Photos and detailed maps F35 on Ferruginous Sand. Large fissure forming from manhole cover going inland, stick showing path of fissure. Roll back. Move fence. Path needs moving inland F35 on Ferruginous Sand. Path made after large landslip recently and another fissure is forming. The whole of this area is moving and will collapse in the not too distant future. No space for rollback here unless area is stabilised. Unstable ground F35 on Gault. Path difficult to roll back as it is on a steep slope. New path can be created by installing steps- see photos. Steps down to beach Steep terrain Steps needed here 13

14 F35 on Upper Chalk. Compton Chine. Steps up to stile at main road. Steps in good condition F35 on Upper Chalk. Path traverses steep hillside to Freshwater Bay. No rollback or spreading area. Path on steep slope F35 on Upper Chalk. Historical note of interest. Memorial Plaque to Flight Lt John C Dundas, pilot in WW2. Memorial plaque F62 on upper Chalk. Path goes down a flight of wooden steps to promenade, beach and Freshwater Independent Lifeboat. Existing path runs to A3055 Freshwater Bay Lifeboat House Summary of Opportunities and Key Access Issues 1. Whilst there is already an established coastal path following the whole of this stretch along the cliff top, there are difficult areas that need improvement. Most of this stretch is also subject to erosion and there must be provision for roll back. 2. Access around chines is difficult and often slippery. Steps are needed in most cases to cross the chine. 14

15 3. Atherfield Holiday Centre is a new development proposed to replace an old holiday camp. The new owners have given an assurance to offer facilities for walkers, and to provide picnic benches near the coast path. 4. The area is renowned for fossil finds, especially near Barnes High. There are Dinosaur footprints at Hanover Point. Interpretation of this important feature should be provided. 15