Warning: Shuttleworth entrance

[CavingPig]

On a trip this afternoon it was noted that the scaffolded climb at the bottom of the first pitch in Shuttleworth is very loose. Three pieces of scaff bar have come away completely and another piece appears to be perched but not holding anything up, with cobbles etc coming away. A ~25kg piece of rock also fell out of the ceiling as cavers passed by. The remainder of the SRT descent appeared fine.

 

[CNCC]

Thank you CavingPig, and also for reporting this to us via our reporting form

We actually received a report on this last month, although at the time, the situation did not sound quite as severe as your describe. We added a yellow 'general warning' to our webpage for Shuttleworth (which displays when anyone makes a booking). We also made our Conservation Officer aware who is looking into the possibility of finding volunteers to help with stabilisation work.

Based in your report, it sounds like the situation has deteriorated in the last month. We have therefore upgraded our warning:

Shuttleworth Pot

Access information, rigging topo and route description for Shuttleworth Pot (Leck Fell)

cncc.org.uk

Needless to say, it sounds like EXTREME caution is needed in this area.

Hopefully we will be able to identify some volunteers willing to take on some remedial work here. Alternatively, if anyone reading this would be interested in taking on this project with CNCC support (e.g. to cover costs for materials, reasonable travel expenses, advice etc), please get in touch with our Conservation Officer, contact details on our website.

We would also welcome any further updates on the status of the area, either directly to us, or posted here.

 

[kay]

I'm happy to try to get a CNCC team of vols together for this, but need two things, if anyone can help me? Firstly I'd like to talk to the original diggers, since I don't want to just wade in within speaking to them. Secondly, I need someone to take charge - to decide what needs to be done, get the materials (CNCC can pay) and manage the work on the day. If you can help with either of these , please PM me.

 

[Andy Walsh]

I'm happy to try to get a CNCC team of vols together for this, but need two things, if anyone can help me? Firstly I'd like to talk to the original diggers, since I don't want to just wade in within speaking to them. Secondly, I need someone to take charge - to decide what needs to be done, get the materials (CNCC can pay) and manage the work on the day. If you can help with either of these , please PM me.

the wall at the bottom of the first pitch in Shuttleworth was built in a hour or so as we were about to get in and it was late in the day I think stone wedges were hammered in to the top part of the wall to jam it to the sides (a NPC trick)+ stones to the side +top this may be why the top has so far ? held
An alloy ladder was placed to stop feet knocking the wall this may have gone, an electron ladder was used in the pitch at the tine to get to the top of the wall.
The whole of the entrance shaft was full of fill the (rest could be emptied )it was wheelbarrowed to a nearby shake hole as by Natural England advice.
Mr Middleton the farmer did a good job with a Quad bike we made it worth while.
I think sand +cement would be a good idea
Also some scaffold
and an alloy ladder (2m long)
Bucket +15 m rope
prob a small group will do
where the rock "in the roof " came from I would look around carefully

I was there --as an excuse it has lasted 14 years and a lot of traffic also please note some archaeology found in the fill at this point suggest you contact Lugger if you dig into this!

 

[kay]

Thanks, Andy, that's useful information

 

[JasonC]

I noticed in the BCA agenda, the CNCC report included this: "Shuttleworth Pot has had a restoration of shoring at the bottom of the entrance pitch."
Does this mean some more work has been done since Andy Walsh's report above, and is the warning here still accurate?
Thanks

 

[RUSS B]

I noticed in the BCA agenda, the CNCC report included this: "Shuttleworth Pot has had a restoration of shoring at the bottom of the entrance pitch."
Does this mean some more work has been done since Andy Walsh's report above, and is the warning here still accurate?
Thanks

We put a temporary repair in just before Christmas utilising the materials that were already there and will be returning in the next week or so to complete. The "scaffolding" that was in situ wasn't actually scaffolding though it was radio antenna pole so while it is now pinned its not very strong. However It's easy enough to climb past in either direction without the need to climb on the shoring itself so is passable with care. I will updated once completed.

 

[JasonC]

Thanks for the update, Russ, and to the team for all your work

 

[RUSS B]

Shuttleworth is now back open for business!

 

[JasonC]

Excellent news - thanks for your efforts!

 

[sneezinweasel]

Thanks for all your hard work!

 

[zzzzzzed]

Shuttleworth is now back open for business!

You have done a first class job - thanks!