Scawgill Quarry Climbing Access Ban

[Steve Hardy]

Message from Ron Kenyon which adds to what i said on WhatsApp

Hi

As you may know we had contacted the owner of Scawgill Bridge Quarry and he was initially happy for climbers to climb there.

He indicated that he had never been approached for permission for climbers to climb there (or bolt there).  He also indicated that it was in an SSSI  and consent to bolt should be obtained from Natural England.

I therefore looked into the consent procedure and started this on the NE website.  However it is necessary to indicate the owner of the land and also give contact details ie email address –  as no doubt NE would want to check situation with the land owner.  We have the owners details but not his email address.

I therefore I have just contacted the owner and explained the situation however he indicated that he had had a think about things and did not want to give permission to climb there and wanted the bolts removing based on the following –

No initial contact about climbers using the quarry and bolting it.
He gets nothing out of all this. 
Concerns about farming grant.
Concerns over occupier liability
Loss of nesting peregrine.
Concern at contacting NE re SSSI

I had a feeling that this could be his response and I can appreciate his concerns and difficult to counter these concerns.

I have spoken to Steve H and Jon Fullwood and looking to the following  –

Remove the hangers on the bolts
Amend the Regional Access Database (RAD) on the BMC website
Have notice near road
Put something on UKC and FRCC website
Notify clubs in the area I will send the owner a letter once these have been done 
Steve indicated that he will call sometime and have a further word in a few weeks  –  
We can show what we have done and acting responsibly  –  no idea if this will change his mind but probably the best and only route we have.

Cheers
Steve

[Author]

Posts