Black Ven and Lyme Regis by richard edmonds

Black Ven is one of the most spectacular coastal landslides in Europe. Beyond, lies the Spittles, a series of fields that lie on an ancient landslide surface just waiting to be ‘unzipped’ by coastal erosion. The town of Lyme Regis is protected from the sea by its famous harbour, the Cobb and a new coast defence scheme along the sea front. However, the landslides continue to threaten the eastern side of the town.

There is a paradox here; the reason why Lyme is so famous for fossils and why the surrounding coast is so interesting, internationally important and beautiful is because it is eroding. Finding the balance between protecting the natural interests of the coast, a World Heritage Site, by allowing it to erode, and protecting the town from that erosion, is a continuing challenge for all involved in managing this coastline made beautiful by both natural erosion and human endeavour.

For more information about the World Heritage Site, visit:

www.jurassiccoast.com or

www.soton.ac.uk/~imw/lymchar.htm