Mendip Caves closed due to Coronavirus

[PeteHall]

perhaps it is in the CSCC's best interests to be clear and open as to why such restrictions are in place?

To be fair, while the CSCC has done nothing to enable access, it has also done nothing to prevent access, so we should probably give them a break on this particular point.

All the restrictions in place have sod all to do with the CSCC, they are each the work of separate Access Controlling Bodies (albeit that some names may appear in more than one organisation...)

This is possibly one of the issues in Mendip, there are who knows how many ACB's in the region. I'm not sure if there is even a list anywhere?

 

[Badlad]

The CNCC were considered an Access Controlling Body at the time when most access agreements were aimed at member clubs.  That has changed.  CNCC likes to think that it represents all cavers who cave in, or visit the north, club, independent or otherwise.  We work with landowners, land managers, authorities and others to facilitate the best access we can on behalf of cavers.  Of course we do other things too like all the conservation work, anchors, training, PR, etc.

 

[Hunter]

Just going off at a slight tangent but still relative with regard to the same individuals being on several of the Mendip access organisations.
Rather than scorn their input and decisions maybe ask yourself why it is those same people and I would suggest it is because no one else is prepared to take it on.

 

[mikem]

On the Leicester spike - the mayor was on radio today claiming they had done more testing than most other areas, so a rise in cases discovered was almost inevitable. A chicken processing plant in Anglesey also had an outbreak amongst staff - very similar working conditions again. (The Weston super mare hospital closure contained their problem.)

& the CSCC post doesn't refer to BCA regulations, it's talking about government ones, the BCA input would come under the advice headline.

Most ACBs require insurance, so BCA has a list of them.

Also, the CNCC booking system does not apply to majority of the most popular caves in the Dales.

 

[PeteHall]

Most ACBs require insurance, so BCA has a list of them.

Is this public? I can't find it...

Also, the CNCC booking system does not apply to majority of the most popular caves in the Dales.

Because they are open access and do not require any permission to descend?

 

[bagpuss]

The caves noted above will remain closed until they meet government standards which are applicable to all cavers on Mendip rather than a select few caving with a person from their own household.

Interested to know what you mean by government standards, I noticed some show caves are reopening from July, of course it doesn't mean that just because they are opening the risk is lessened, as it will be an economical decision, however they will have far more footfall than Mendip caves. If the virus is to be with us for a long time is it not better to have discussion about how access can be managed to more popular caves such as Swildon's and what steps cavers should take to protect themselves etc? I'm not caving at the moment, so purely asking hypothetically.

 

[mikem]

Most ACBs require insurance, so BCA has a list of them.

Is this public? I can't find it...

Not as far as I'm aware, but clubs that are also ACBs pay an extra, but reduced subscription, so it must exist.

Also, the CNCC booking system does not apply to majority of the most popular caves in the Dales.

Because they are open access and do not require any permission to descend?

Because the landowners don't require someone else to manage the cavers. Most of the ones that are on the system are those that require permits.

 

[Bob Mehew]

Most ACBs require insurance, so BCA has a list of them.

Is this public? I can't find it...

Not as far as I'm aware, but clubs that are also ACBs pay an extra, but reduced subscription, so it must exist.

The detail is in BCA's membership database.  BCA's privacy statement restricts its usage.  (Though this has made me wonder how BCA justifies listing member clubs.)

 

[mikem]

Hopefully clubs have ticked a box saying they want to be listed, so potential new members can see them...

Think there are just under 20 hut owning clubs in country, so numbers of ACBs is probably in range of c.30.

 

[JohnMCooper]

Having spoken with Dot Eastwater Cavern remains closed and she doesn?t want cavers coming around, so can CSCC please update accordingly.

 

[mikem]

Eastwater already has been added (as has North Hill Swallet)

 

[domestos bend]

Swildons is an interesting one as I am guessing it will be the mendip cave that gets the most traffic as things unlock. What are the chances of picking up covid from a panting carrier who has eaten his twix sat in the water chamber? Nose in the mud sump airspace? 

 

[PeteHall]

I doubt sump air space is likely to be worth consideration as the only closed air bell is between sump 2 and 3. Very few people go that way...

Even on a busy day in Swildon's, the only usual bottleneck is at the 20. There is a large passage upstream and a few wide bits downstream to wait.

Personally, I'm not too worried.

 

[JoshW]

Even on a busy day in Swildon's, the only usual bottleneck is at the 20. There is a large passage upstream and a few wide bits downstream to wait.

Personally, I'm not too worried.

not to mention usually a decent draft through that section to "refresh" the air

 

[mikem]

Swildons is already open & various trips have been done, including the short round.

 

[PeteHall]

I'm aware of two groups going to Swildon's tonight, so if anyone's worried about it being busy, choose a different day

 

[The Old Ruminator]

Will be down Swildons next week.

 

[PeteHall]

Look out for the new road sign!

No idea how long it's been there as I've not been down since January I think, but made me smile tonight 

 

[cap n chris]

A timely reminder that there's a fair amount of flytipped detritus which needs removing from the cave. Some of it has been there for decades.

 

[JamesM]

Look out for the new road sign!

No idea how long it's been there as I've not been down since January I think, but made me smile tonight 

It was there three weeks ago when I did the short round trip