West Twin Brook Adit access key

[Dep]

I am thinking of taking a look at West Twin Brook Adit as I understand that access is now available via CSCC?

Is this locked with the new CSCC key that was recently sent out to clubs who requested one, if I take our club's key will that do the job or do I need to go elsewhere such as Wessex or MCG ?

 

[Les W]

I think you will find it is on a combination lock, I'll leave it to Cap'n Chris to pass on the number as
a) It has no place on a public forum, and
b) I don't know what it is

 

[cap n chris]

West Twin Brook Adit is secured* with a combination lock.

* Except it isn't `cos the lock's been vandalised. There's a new lock sitting here ready to be put on instead. It, too, is a combination lock.

I hope to organise the chain/lock in such a way that the lock is kept inside the door so that it is less vulnerable to vandalism/smashing off with rocks. Please replace the lock similarly if you visit. The ground needs digging out a bit by the entrance so the door can open wider - this, too, is something I shall try and sort out tomorrow morning!

Combination available to bona fide club cavers from canda@cscc.org.uk

 

[Dep]

Thanks chaps.
CnC: An email is on its way to you for the combination.
We intend to be there Saturday so if you want any help digging the crap away from the entrance we will be  happy to help.
Dep.

 

[cap n chris]

I managed to just squeeze in past the door today after moving a few more stones away from the entrance. Ideally it needs a spade and twenty minutes of labour to enable the door to be opened sufficiently wide to allow normal mortals easier access. Any help gladly accepted!...  :bow:

 

[Dep]

Fortunately I am a lot skinnier than your average 'normal mortal'! 
Combination received - thanks, that was damned quick.
If it is still difficult to squeeze in on Saturday we will have a go at it and see what we can do.

 

[cap n chris]

Update: Wednesday 23rd August 06

Chain and new combination lock fitted to WTBA. The chain and lock has been installed in such a way that the lock is on the other side of the gate and cannot be smashed with rocks/crow bars as the previous one was. Anyone with functioning eyesight will be able to key in the combination to open the lock. Please replace the lock as found. CSCC pays for these items every time they need replacing so it's cavers' money which is going down the shitter when people fail to ensure things are out of harms way and beyond the functioning brain cell of vandals.

 

[cap n chris]

Friday 17th November:

Chain and padlock ripped off but replaced again (no cost to anyone `cos I'm a genius). Probably need a sign here with something like "Further info? check out la-de-dah-de-doody-do" or somesuch. I doubt this will ever happen since it just won't be got around to. 

 

[cap n chris]

I never realised WTBA flooded! - had a little pop up to see if anyone's got around the vandalising the combination lock yet since it's only been a couple a three weeks since the last time it were ripped off; anyho, got there and found water about 1m deep acting as a good deterrent. Must be interesting inside when it's really hammering down with rain....

 

[Dep]

The thing that most intrigued me about this entrance when I first found it was that it is significantly lower than the stream-bed, and if the stream rises even a little it will inevitably flood.
Because of the height difference a rise in stream level after a heavy rainstorm may cause the site to fill up suddenly once the stream rises above the critical level.
But the stream will return to normal quite quickly whilst the adit remais flooded until the water can seep out by whichever small route it usually takes to the 'spring'.

 

[graham]

One must assume that there is nothing washed down with the stream that will block the outlet otherwise it would have happened long ago. That means that this is not going to be a problem for the future. On the other hand, it means that no-one is going to be buggering up the lock in the winter months. 

 

[spongebob]

the last time we went caving at the mendip (about 2 weeks ago), west twin addict was easy to get into, i didn't  know how muddy it was
our feet sank in to it!!!!

 

[cap n chris]

Presently unsecured as padlock has been vandalised (what, really? - again?.... Yes). Mind you, as the entrance is about a metre deep in water and the gate doesn't open far, it's unlikely to be having many visitors at present.

 

[darkplaces]

If it keeps being vandalized why not (and I know its expensive) put a grilled gate on so people can see in and see its just a tunnel rather then a hidden gem behind a locked door... I haven't see it in a while (since my one and only visit) maybe  cut holes in the door and padlock goes on the inside and people can see inside and out of reach is a sign saying, this is just a tunnel, nothing to see here, visit the cscc website for more this is west twin audit.

I'l help out with this as well, I used a disk cutter once  and I have a laminator.

 

[cap n chris]

Removing the present gate would probably require mechanised lifting gear (no in-situ belays for hauling tackle) and the approach is impassable probably without tree surgeons cutting some of the scrub/trees first; the whole area is a SSSI which makes life so-much-easier(tm); then there's the small matter of removing the present rusty gate and disposing of it somewhere or another; a plus side would be the presence of access for a mini digger so that the entrance could be dug back and/or for a gravel soakaway to be put down; bricks/mortar COULD be used to make the entrance aperture smaller so that a grille/gate could be installed on a smaller scale than the present one (which would mean less £££ on metalworking).

Problem(s):
SSSI.
Access.
Machinery.
Materials - cost, delivery, usage, disposal.
Overhanging loose shale faces.
VERY MUDDY.
Active streamway.
Tree felling/clearance.
Glacially quick bureaucratic procedures of the overseeing corporation.
Insufficient end result to justify effort required.

Likelihood of this happening: nil.

 

[Peter Burgess]

In-situ gate construction is not unknown. I don't know about getting the old one off, but gates in our area and in Kent have been made in-situ using portable (luggable) welding generators. Likewise a small generator can easily power angle grinders and drills. While bowing to you better knowledge of the site  :bow:, the installation of gates in difficult places is not impossible.

Umm, thought I'd add that I'm not offering to do this, just saying what others have done. I'm not the best person to give power tools or a welding set to.

 

[whitelackington]

Removing the present gate would probably require mechanised lifting gear (no in-situ belays for hauling tackle) and the approach is impassable probably without tree surgeons cutting some of the scrub/trees first; the whole area is a SSSI which makes life so-much-easier(tm); then there's the small matter of removing the present rusty gate and disposing of it somewhere or another; a plus side would be the presence of access for a mini digger so that the entrance could be dug back and/or for a gravel soakaway to be put down; bricks/mortar COULD be used to make the entrance aperture smaller so that a grille/gate could be installed on a smaller scale than the present one (which would mean less £££ on metalworking).

Problem(s):
SSSI.
Access.
Machinery.
Materials - cost, delivery, usage, disposal.
Overhanging loose shale faces.
VERY MUDDY.
Active streamway.
Tree felling/clearance.
Glacially quick bureaucratic procedures of the overseeing corporation.
Insufficient end result to justify effort required.

Likelihood of this happening: nil.

How often are the glacial events these days on Mendip

 

[darkplaces]

Like pete says mobile angle grinders or drills with wide things to cut big holes. Sounds like fun gimme a go!

Cut the gate in half (insitu) , add a hinge? Bottom half has pipes or holes in for water. Bit of digging nice bit of fun.

 

[graham]

Before any work could be done in this area, of this nature, the landowner's approval would be needed. His agent was rather unhappy about access to this site being given in the first place; but was talked round. Might not work a second time.

 

[cap n chris]

Since we live in pretty much a "no can do" society nowadays, it's easier to shrug and do nothing than it is to attempt to get the gargantuan wheels in motion to achieve such a small amount for the huge efforts involved, not least in correspondence, permissions, plans, negotiations, logistics, manpower, funding, conservation/impact studies etc..

It would be nice to think that an "easy" solution would be to have a horizontal pipe installed (a la Fairy Quarry entrances) and just to knock most of the surrounding cliff faces down to cover it over, thereby solving most of the problems in one fell swoop (i.e. leave the old rusy gate in situ) but that still requires a lot of effort and negotiation to get the pipes there and do the work (safely shifting 6-10cubic metres of spoil); obviously the pipe might flood or fill with mud and it would be harder to visit than at present and would probably still attract the attention of vandals who would force entry so the end result would be NO DIFFERENT from the present situation.

My 2p? -  keep putting weak locks and chain on it `cos they're cheaper to replace.