The Folkestone Warren Landslide - historical development of the ground model for the landslide and details of the landslip movements experienced during the period 1962 to 2024

Abstract

Folkestone Warren is a coastal landslide formed of Chalk and Gault strata located between Folkestone and Abbots Cliff over which the railway from London to Dover runs. Since a major slip that occurred in 1915, the area has been the subjected to extensive ground investigations, stabilisation measures and monitoring which over time has led to further refinement of the ground model for the landslide. This paper provides a summary of that development and outlines the current understanding into the complex arrangement of slips forming the Warren based on the nature of movements established by survey points and laser scanning techniques within the Warren for the period 1962 to 2024 and from the results from real-time monitoring at Warren Halt recorded since 2016. Minor ongoing movements, subsidence and cracking of the High Cliff have also been observed along the Old Dover Road in the vicinity of the Caravan Park, Capel Village and a possible reason for such movements is outlined.