New lead in Wales.....

[danthecavingman]

:wink:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid/4599407.stm

 

[Cave_Troll]

surely they must be able to fidnn some local cavers to help them out.

 

[AndyF]

"We've heard rumours that it could cost up to £80,000 to fill in the hole"

Doh! Here in the sunny Peak District there are thousands of shafts, most covered up with about 6 railway sleepers. Cost £48.

 

[Cave_Troll]

thats something like i was thinking.

 

[AndyF]

I think there is a conspiracy by certain companies to make work for themselves by charging vast amounts to fill in shafts (which IS technically difficult) instead of just fencing or capping. A few years ago an enormous amount was spent making the limestone mines around Dudley "safe" by filling with fly ash, curing a problem that didn't exist......

See http://www.ukqaa.org.uk/CaseStudyMonsHill/CaseStudyMonsHillMarch2004.pdf

Rather amusingly, the company concerned was called "Forkers Ltd."

 

[Fred]

Interesting article - there's been quite a bit of discussion about land ownership versus mineral rights on the forum so is it really true that just because it's on the owner's land it's their problem? IIRC isn't there a national body that still deals with subsidence due to coal mining activity?

Also regarding the Dudley Mines: some caverns are still accessible by taking a narrow boat trip with the Dudley Canal Trust. I also heard a rumour recently that the council was thinking about re-opening part of them - they were only filled in in the early 1990's. Shortsighted government?

 

[AndyF]

There are quite a few mines still accesible. PDMHS did a publication on them a few years ago.

Yes, you can still see some by boat, well worth it.

As for the legal situation with subsidence/open shafts, I have no idea. I guess everyone will deny liability....

 

[darkplaces]

Why didnt it appear in the house survey?

Why fill it in? Clean up the edges, pop a well head around it and call it a 'real' wishing well....

 

[rich]

surely they must be able to fidnn some local cavers to help them out.

That's just down the road! I might offer

 

[cucc Paul]

A lot of the problems with covering the expences of looking after relict mines from both structual problems and acid mine drainage problems is that the mines were closed after ecconomic difficulties and court cases eventually end up making the original owner bare the cost who has no money now... so you get stuck

 

[cucc Paul]

A lot of the problems with covering the expences of looking after relict mines from both structual problems and acid mine drainage problems is that the mines were closed after ecconomic difficulties and court cases eventually end up making the original owner bare the cost who has no money now... so you get stuck