This part belongs in the DYO: BBC Link thread
A few points I didn't get around to pick up on last night:
But the following is taken from the DYO Access regulations:
"While the showcave is open, the warden for the party must present their "wardens permit" and the completed pre-access declaration to the showcave staff who will allow access unless there is a sound reason to deny it. Such reasons might include high water or there already being three parties in the cave."
Do you think this is reasonable? What, for example, would your opinion be of any cavers who refused to accept the advice given to them by the showcave staff regarding a potential rise in water levels if this situation occurred?
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I am VERY bothered by caves suffering wanton damage (conservation is, believe it or not, one of my chief concerns these days) but I think there are more acceptable solutions to the problem other than gates. I am morally opposed to the gating of what is, after all, a natural feature. We could discuss this for hours so if you'd like to start a new thread I'd be more than happy to contribute.
Obviously, in the example you mention, some form of protection or covering would have to be provided on public safety grounds. Of course I would accept this but I would prefer access for cavers to be available without the use of a key if at all possible. For example, don't some of the stone mines in the Bath area have grilles that can be opened with a special type of spanner or something?
A few points I didn't get around to pick up on last night:
hyweldavies said:A landowner, or club committee for that matter, would be very ill-advised to get involved with judging whether a trip is dangerous on a given occasion.
But the following is taken from the DYO Access regulations:
"While the showcave is open, the warden for the party must present their "wardens permit" and the completed pre-access declaration to the showcave staff who will allow access unless there is a sound reason to deny it. Such reasons might include high water or there already being three parties in the cave."
Do you think this is reasonable? What, for example, would your opinion be of any cavers who refused to accept the advice given to them by the showcave staff regarding a potential rise in water levels if this situation occurred?
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cap 'n chris said:NigR said:If it was down to me there would be no gates on any caves anywhere, just as I've always said.
From this is it fair to say you're not bothered much by caves suffering wanton damage?
I am VERY bothered by caves suffering wanton damage (conservation is, believe it or not, one of my chief concerns these days) but I think there are more acceptable solutions to the problem other than gates. I am morally opposed to the gating of what is, after all, a natural feature. We could discuss this for hours so if you'd like to start a new thread I'd be more than happy to contribute.
graham said:I also wonder what view is taken on shafts that exist in remarkably close proximity to housing estates where many young children live.
Obviously, in the example you mention, some form of protection or covering would have to be provided on public safety grounds. Of course I would accept this but I would prefer access for cavers to be available without the use of a key if at all possible. For example, don't some of the stone mines in the Bath area have grilles that can be opened with a special type of spanner or something?