What are RIGS?
RIGS stands for Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites. They are sites that have been identified by local geoconservation groups as being of regional importance and then notified to the local authority planning departments as sites in need of protection from future development.

Banbury Stone, Worcestershire.

The concept of RIGS was first initiated by the Nature Conservancy Councils (NCC) publication Earth Science Conservation in Great Britain – A Strategy (1990). RIGS sites started life as SSSIs denotified after the Geological Conservation Review (1977-1990). The statutory agencies wished to secure their conservation in another form. RIGS sites are those which, whilst not benefiting from national statutory protection, are nevertheless regionally or locally representative sites where '.... consideration of their importance becomes integral to the planning process' according to the Earth Science Conservation Strategy (ESCS).

How are RIGS chosen?
A potential site is surveyed and assessed against a national set of qualifying criteria. These are:

• Educational value for fieldwork in primary and secondary schools, at undergraduate level and in adult education courses
• Scientific value for study by both professional and amateur Earth scientists. Such sites demonstrate, alone or as part of a network, the geology or geomorphology of an area.
• Historical significance in terms of important advances in Earth science knowledge.
• Aesthetic qualities in the landscape, particularly in relation to promoting public awareness and appreciation of Earth sciences.

In Herefordshire & Worcestershire (the process can vary slightly in other counties), an Assessors Panel meets to consider nominated sites. Sometimes they visit the site. The Panel, all experienced geologists and/or geomorphologists, then decides which of the criteria are met and whether or not the site qualifies for RIGS designation. A site may be important for one or many reasons. It needs only meet one criteria to qualify but usually they meet several.

Wilton Bluff, Herefordshire.

When a site is chosen for designation by the Assessors Panel, detailed records are made of it and then the information is passed on to the local authority planning departments. They then add it to a special “alert” map to ensure it is “flagged” up as requiring special protection. At the same time the records are also stored on the Trust's Geological Records Database.

RIGS in the two counties
Herefordshire & Worcestershire is an area of outstanding geology and geomorphology. The Abberley and Malvern Hills were recently declared a European and Global Geopark after being considered of international importance.

RIGS designation in the two counties began in 1996. RIGS can vary in size from a small exposed bank in an old quarry to large sections of the Malvern Hills. Many, many are overgrown and “lost”. RIGS surveyors working for the Trust (often helped by volunteer members) scour the countryside searching for them. Currently, there are over 180 designated RIGS records in the Trust database for both counties. These sites give important clues and/or evidence about the history of the geology and landscape of the area.

View from Symmonds Yat Rock, Herefordshire.

Some RIGS sites are very vulnerable or access to them is private or dangerous. It would be irresponsible to publicise their location. However many more are quite stable and publicly accessible. Lists of designated sites in Herefordshire and in Worcestershire are avilable online, but if more information is required, please contact the Trust's Data Manager, Adam Stinton by email (a.stinton@worc.ac.uk) or phone (01905 542014).

Other important geological sites
The two counties also have other sites that have a higher level of protection status called Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI’s). These are very important sites that have been chosen for biological, geological or geomorphological reasons. Herefordshire & Worcestershire have 36 SSSI’s designated for geology and/or geomorphology. These sites are protected by statutory law and are managed by Natural England. The Trust works closely with the local EN team to maintain a watch on these sites.