So what is it about cavers and access then!?! This "debate" resurfaces on a regular basis, each time with equal amounts of "I can go anywhere I damed well like" and "respect the landowner".
IMHO, BCA is correct in that it cannot advocate potentially illegal activities, and Dave's statement is predominantly a clarification of the legal position. And on the whole (yes, I know there are exceptions), access is arranged for caves in a sensible and open fashion. Yes, I'm sure there is more that can be done to open up access (in some places, and where appropriate for the system), but doesn't mean BCA is not an association for cavers!
To all those cavers who think they can go anywhere they like, regardless of landowner wishes:
I'm thinking of taking up a new sport. I'm going to call it "housing". "Housing", quite simply, involves going and crawling around houses. But as a "houser", I don't need the house owners' permission. Instead, I'm just going to go. I don't care if it's on private land, 'cos I'm a "houser" now and I can go anywhere I like in pursuit of my sport. And anyone who thinks it's OK to gate their house, well, they're just getting in the way of my new sport, and we can't have that now can we. But as it's the new sport of "housing", I guess it's OK to just smash the locks off and go in anyway. Never know, there might be some worthwhile artifacts to collect... Thinking about this, there are soooo many houses to choose from, perhaps I should be a little more specialised in my sport. I could, for instance, only visit the houses of people who think they had a god-given right to go anywhere they like. I could smash the locks off of their gates, break into their houses, and see how they like that. I doubt they'd mind really as it's all in the name of my new sport - and many of them wouldn't even know, so that would be OK too......
get me drift?
So let's just get on with enjoying our caving in a polite, respectful and legal manner
Z!