Watchet Coast At Threat
Unsustainable coastal developments in Watchet, Somerset puts an internationally important site at risk
Recent Cliff Subsidence
Further evidence of cliff instability around the Cleeve Hill Site has emerged in April 2022.
Signage warning of the risks of unstable cliffs and rock falls (2022)
Subsidence of a section of the cliff top on West Street was reported to Watchet Town Council in April 2022. Geckoella subsequently undertook an urgent site investigation on behalf of WTC, including drone photogrammetry of the area.
The images below illustrate the scale of subsidence, with the blue line delineating the main scarp plane separating the slumped blocks and the new cliff top. This subsidence has caused the loss of four allotments.
Geckoella's geologists continue to monitor the condition and subsidence of the cliffs in this area using drones, to provide Watchet Town Council with accurate and reliable data to help inform management decisions within and around the site.
Hint: Use the slider to swipe between the annotated image (left) and the aerial image (right).
Cliff subsidence: an orthophoto of the cliff top near West Street, Watchet.
