Stokenchurch Gap
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Stokenchurch Gap, also known as the Aston Hill cutting ([1]), the Chiltern Gap is a steep chalk cutting, constructed through the Chiltern Hills in Oxfordshire, England during the early 1970s for the M40 motorway. It is 1200 metres long and a maximum of 47 metres deep, and is located approximately eight miles (13 km) from High Wycombe and close to the village of Stokenchurch. The cutting is mainly through the Upper Chalk, with some Middle Chalk seen at its base.
The curved route of the cutting was designed to mitigate impact on the skyline, and to fit the local topography.
Drivers often note significant changes in weather conditions on passing through the cutting, sometimes with clear conditions on one side, and rain and low cloud on the other. It is also well known for making people's ears "pop" as they travel through.
Red kites are commonly seen flying within the cutting or on the surrounding downland.
An aerial shot of the cutting looking northwards is shown during the opening titles of the BBC sitcom The Vicar of Dibley.
