THE UK’s oldest theme park is at risk of slipping into the sea as the land continues to erode.
As the theme park opens for its 183rd year, new drone images show the extent of landslips in recent months.
Due to rain diminishing clay layers, Blackgang Chine on the Isle of Wight has lost around 350m of land to coastal erosion over the last 75 years.
Over the years, the theme park – that opened in 1843 – has moved a number of attractions away from its coastal edge to prevent them from crashing into the sea below.
The drone images show the land around the park, near Alum Bay, eroding quickly, putting rides at risk.
An anonymous drone pilot told the Daily Mail: “I have seen many changes over the coastline of the south of the Isle of Wight over the years.
“But slightly more so since I have been flying drones, many of which are due to climate change and wetter winters we are experiencing, mixed in with dry summers.”
Landslips in the area, known for its colourful sand cliffs and blue water, were recorded as early as the 1700s – with significant cliff falls in 1928, 1961 and 1994.
In this area, the cliff edge loses around 3.5m of land each year.
In the 1994 landslide, homes, caravans and chalets were forced to be evacuated and some attractions had to be moved inland.
A spokesperson for the park said: “We are always monitoring the land, and will take the appropriate action as and when it is needed – safety of the staff, guests, as well as preserving any attractions, are always our top priority.”
Blackgang Chine was extremely popular with Victorian holidaymakers due to its deep ravines by the sea.
Originally the land was a steep, gaunt ravine, a high-sided gorge where a river flows into the sea, but it has since been destroyed by landslides.
It was founded in 1843 by Alexander Dabell and run by four generations of the same family until Francis Richmond Dabell died in December last year aged 101.
Having run the business since 1947, Richard was praised for handling the soft land well to protect the theme park.
