Severe Erosion near Blaydon, County Durham

Abstract

of Path Head, which lies on the road leading southward from Blaydon to Ryton Woodside and Greenside. Just west of Path Head is a shallow valley down which a colliery wagonway now runs to the staithes at Stella, and the gully was cut on the northern slope of this valley.* Three major factors appear to have contributed to the formation of this gully. First, the exceptionally heavy rainfall; secondly, the character of the material in which the gully was cut; and thirdly, the existence of ridges and furrows running down the slope. Although it is impossible to state with accuracy the exact amount of rain which fell during the storm, which lasted