Scientist based in Portsmouth has announced today that the Isle of Wight is moving south at an alarming rate.Measurements taken over the last 12 years have provided evidence that the island is not just moving further away from the mainland, but is speeding up.
The measurements show that in 1999 the Hampshire island was edging south at a rate of one inch (2.5cm) a year. In 2009 the rate has increased to 100 FEET (35 metres) per year.
Doug Trenches, Geologist and Plate tectonic expert at Portsmouth University, explained, “The Island is moving away from the mainland at an alarming rate for a land mass. We know land is moving all the time, which is why we have earthquakes, but this is something else. Why and how are things, as yet, we don’t understand. Basically it’s like a runaway ship, and a large one at that. I can’t see it getting slower, only faster”.
Mike Chinn from the Ocean Liners and Passenger Ferry Trade Union (OLPFTU) expressed his concern with the affect this will have with shipping; “I must say that we at the OLPFTU are concerned and are currently arranging a seminar to help those who will be affected. Shipping companies will have to change their routes to avoid the island and Passenger Ferry companies will also need to update their health and safety policy”.
Sid Sneeth, a private ferry operator from Limington, stated “I’ll have to see if I can put me prices up, now we have to go further”.
Story by Dennis Birdcamp.
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