The Isle of Wight Coastal Trail

Transcription

1 The Isle of Wight Coastal Trail A proposed route recommended by Island path users Document produced by Isle of Wight Ramblers March 2017

2 Contents Background... Methodology... Stretch reviews and proposals. 1 Cowes Chain Ferry(East) to Wootton Bridge. 2 Wootton Bridge to Seaview High Street. 3 Seaview High Street to Sandown Zoo... 4 Sandown Zoo to Ventnor Bay. 5 Ventnor Bay to Whale Chine car park... 6 Whale Chine to Freshwater Bay LBS... 7 Freshwater Bay LBS to Yarmouth Bridge. 8 Yarmouth Bridge to Shalfleet Mill Bridge.. 9 Shalfleet Mill Bridge to Thorness Bay.. 10 Thorness Bay to Cowes Chain Ferry (West).. 11 Medina Valley. Summary of proposals.. Appendix 1 Project Teams.... Appendix 2 Island Diversity.. Appendix 3 Methodology.

3 Background 1 This one of the final sections of coastal access to be implemented by Natural England under the Marine and Coastal Access Act A large amount of the coast is in private ownership without PROWs and access has not been possible. Parts of this survey work have been completed following desk assessments using Google Earth and similar software, as well as local knowledge of the routes. 3 In this report, the alignment of the new Coast Trail has been called the Proposed Route in order to avoid confusion with the existing Coast Path. The numbering of rights of way used is that used by Isle of Wight Council as shown on the Definitive Map. 4 About half of the Isle of Wight is within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This designation reflects the many landscape forms found on the island. The coast is similarly diverse with chalk cliffs, undercliff, soft eroding cliffs, as well as a National Nature Reserve at Newtown Creek. The Isle of Wight might be considered to be England in miniature. There are many SSSIs along the coast, two sections of Heritage Coast, SPAs and Ramsar Sites. 5 There are numerous heritage sites along or near the coast, with grade 1 and 11 historic parks and gardens.

4 Methodology 1 This report has been prepared following survey work by users of the footpath network. About 27 people have contributed, and a small team has looked at each of 11 sections of coast. Volunteers were recruited from The Ramblers Central Office, Isle of Wight Ramblers, Long Distance Walking Association, Health Walkers, Orienteers and local Bembridge residents. Two training sessions were held to give an overview of the Natural England Scheme. Training materials and course tuition was supplied locally by Isle of Wight Ramblers. 2 The methodology for this process is shown in Appendix 4. The proposed route is numbered with grid references, and comments included describing the reasons for the alignment. Alternative routes are sometimes suggested. 3 The intention has been to seek the views of a number of footpath users, understanding the principles within the Natural England Revised Scheme, and to be aware of landowner issues and sensitivities. The final recommendations for the proposed route have considered the best walking route, with good coastal views, and opportunities to visit tourist attractions and facilities.

5 Sectional reviews and proposals The coast has been broken down into eleven manageable sections: Cowes chain ferry SZ to Wootton Bridge SZ Wootton Bridge SZ to Seaview High Street SZ Seaview High Street SZ to Sandown Zoo SZ Sandown Zoo SZ to Ventnor Bay SZ Ventnor Bay SZ to Whale Chine Car Park SZ Whale Chine Car Park SZ to Freshwater Bay IRB Station SZ Freshwater Bay IRB Station SZ to Yarmouth Bridge SZ Yarmouth Bridge SZ to Shalfleet Mill Bridge SZ Shalfleet Mill Bridge SZ to Thorness Bay SZ Thorness Bay SZ to Cowes Chain Ferry SZ Cowes Chain Ferry East SZ via Newport Quay to Cowes Chain Ferry West

6 The map of Isle of Wight showing the 11 sections surveyed.

7 Summary of Proposals 1. The existing coast path is 68 miles in length. Our proposal shows a new route of 89 miles. This includes - A potential additional 8.5 miles around the Medina 22 miles of improved coast path using existing rights of way and open access provisions. 21 miles of improved route using new access provisions. 2. In our opinion, the issues requiring early consideration are: a. The new path through Norris, Osborne, Barton Manor and on to Kings Quay involves a new route where there are currently no rights of way. Norris and Osborne are registered historic parkland (though most of it is coastal woodland), whilst Kings Quay is in a SSSI. It is important that discussions take place with the landowners to establish their concerns about access in this remote area. b. The estuaries at Medina and Newtown both have opportunities to produce some spectacular walking. There is a movement to obtain a shared route on the East Medina, and some funding budgeted for this upgrade. Newtown is a National Nature Reserve and managed by National Trust. They have been supportive of improved access on the island, but may have concerns in this sensitive area. c. There is MOD land near Porchfield, and is part of the Newtown estuary. Discussions are needed to understand the practicalities of improving access here. d. The potential route along the undercliff between Binnel Point and Reeth Bay crosses private land with no current rights of way. Several landowners are potentially involved.

8 Appendix 1 Project team Project Manager Compilation and Editing Mike Slater Mike Slater and David Howarth Surveyors: Joy Allsop Christine Armstrong Derek Baty Sue Bradley Kevin Bryon Jim Catchpole Howard Duffus Mark Eliot Jill Green Eileen Hollinshed David Howarth Doug Kelman Alan Kennett Graham Maddison Mike Marchant Six members of Ramblers central office team Keith Rose Mike Slater

9 Appendix 2 Island Diversity The island is often considered to be England in miniature, and this is reflected in its geology and other landscape features, as shown by the maps below. We feel that this diversity should be fully reflected in the route of the Coastal Trail. Geology: Coastal geology is a major feature of the natural beauty of Wight AONB including: A complete exposure of the Cretaceous Period (formed between 127 million and 65 million years ago) along the coastline of the Tennyson Heritage Coast, The clays, sands and silts of the Palaeocene, Eocene and Oligocene periods (formed between 65 million to 30 million years ago), a feature of the Hamstead Heritage Coast and part of the Tennyson Heritage Coast (Alum Bay to Totland), The vertical multi-coloured Bracklesham group sandstone strata at Alum Bay, The fossil rich Wealden group clays at Brook Bay and Yaverland, The impressive ravines or Chines formed by streams incising through sandstone rocks to the sea shore, The dramatic land slipped Gault and Upper Greensand picturesque landscape of the Undercliff (with its own south facing micro climate, scenic beauty and the accolade of being the most populated rotational landslide complex in north western Europe).

10 Landscape designations: Isle of Wight Heritage Coasts In 1974 two areas of Heritage Coast were defined on the Isle of Wight, covering half the Island s coastline. In 1992, the decision was taken to incorporate issues relating to Heritage Coasts and the AONB into one overall Isle of Wight AONB Management Plan. Hamstead The Hamstead Heritage Coast is situated on the north west of the Isle of Wight running from Thorness near Cowes to Bouldnor near Yarmouth. A tranquil and secretive coastline with inlets, estuaries and creeks; wooded hinterland and gently sloping soft cliffs, this beautiful area offers a haven for wildlife including Red Squirrels and migratory birds. The ancient town of Newtown and its National Nature Reserve also fall within this area. Tennyson In marked contrast, the Tennyson Heritage Coast is breathtaking, with an open aspect; long distance views to the English Channel; a special quality of light; the iconic Needles chalk stacks and other multi-coloured cliffs; a fossil rich coastline including the well known dinosaur footprints at Brook Bay; miles of undeveloped coastline and unspoilt beaches; important wildlife habitats; smugglers and memories of past Islanders; Chines and lighthouses.

11 Landscape Types: There are 11 different landscape types within the AONB NATURA 2000 SITES The EU Natura 2000 network provides ecological infrastructure for the protection of sites which are of exceptional importance in respect of rare, endangered or vulnerable natural habitats and species within the European Community. These European Sites consist of: Special Protection Areas (SPAs) Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) Ramsar sites There are a number of Natura 2000 sites within or adjacent to Wight AONB. These are: Solent & Isle of Wight Lagoons SAC; Briddlesford Copses SAC; South Wight Maritime SAC; Isle of Wight Downs SAC; Solent Maritime SAC; Solent & Southampton Water SPA; Solent & Southampton Water Ramsar site.

12 Appendix 3 - Methodology IOW Coastal Access Survey Methodology (as issued to the survey team): Familiarise yourself with the stretch of coast and plan your survey. a) Consider initially just walking the existing coastal path if you need to familiarise yourself with your stretch of coast. b) Divide your stretch into two to three easily managed lengths; try to choose start and finish points for each length where there is one obvious unambiguous place for the path. c) Prepare either a paper or digital portion of the OS 1.25,000 map that covers the length of coast you are working on; use this to record points of interest markers and to mark path routes. Carry out desk top research d) Begin your survey on a given length by studying and reviewing the relevant IOW Council definitive map, Google earth map and Ordinance survey 1.25,000 map. e) Identify the types of land and their use along all the length; then familiarise yourself with the parts of the Natural England Coastal Access Scheme that are applicable to these categories of land. (A summary table of land type/use is included with this methodology.) f) Use the different maps to identify all the open access areas, paths, tracks and roads along or leading to your length of coast. g) Consider different ways of gaining survey access to your length of coast and the nearby countrysideo Roads, PROW and permissive paths o Open access land o None definitive tracks and paths regularly used by the general public o The shoreline at low tide o Seeking access permission from landowners. h) Consider seeking further information and data about your length of coastline fromo Internet searches o Reference documents o Relevant authorities o Knowledgeable locals

13 o Knowledgeable walkers i) Review issues and opportunities with the Coastal Access Project Leaders Mike Slater and David Howarth. Detailed survey on the ground j) Walk your length of coast exploring alternative routes and paths; make notes, take photos and mark key points on your prepared OS map sheet. k) Identify start and finish points for each type of land type and its current use. l) Confirm the route of all types of paths; record their condition, width, and the positions of structures. m) Identify possible routes for new paths and the position of potential new path structures such as gates, boardwalks and footbridges. Record data and propose the best coast path route using the standard report format. n) Data for each of the eleven allocated survey stretches should be recorded in a clockwise direction around the Island. o) Use numbered points of interest marks (with grid references) for recording key survey positions on your map and data table. p) Propose a best coastal path route using existing PROW and new paths as appropriate. Suggest where spreading room may be appropriate either side of the path. q) Identify where future role back may be required due to coastal erosion. r) Submit all your information and proposals using the standard survey reporting table and your OS map showing your length. Identify your photos with suitable labels.

14 Description of Length... Introduction -- Ref Location Eg. 3 to 4 Land type/use and Path information Photos and detail maps Summary of Opportunities and key Access Issues i. -- ii. -- iii. --