A MAJOR rockfall from the cliffs at Symonds Yat Rock on August 8, 2023 has prevented climbers from using the area and the areas directly below the rockface by means of a Closure Order.

Forestry England said at the time that it had immediately sought professional ground engineering and geotechnical advice from a specialist consultancy firm. And as a result of this advice, a Countryside and Rights of Way dedicated land closure to prevent climbers accessing the cliff face, as well as the public right of way remaining closed for the foreseeable future.

An estimated 20 tonnes of rock fell from the cliff face, and had it not been for the rock capture fence, the damage below could have been significant.

The rock capture fence was in place for incidents like this, but the size of the fall was large enough to severely incapacitate the fence.

Last week Forestry England stated: “Temporary repair of the rock capture fence has been completed, but this does not yet mean that climbing can resume in the area.

“The level of risk is still too high, and we still have other work to do based on recommendations given to us by our expert engineering consultants. This is a significant piece of work and so we don't have a timeline for this yet.”

However, the British Mountaineering Council believes this extended ban on climbing is ‘unreasonable’ and expressed their opposition to the continuation of the ban.

Colin Knowles, climbers’ representative and Southwest area chairman of mountaineering council pointed out that climbing has been taking place at Symonds Yat for nearly a century, and climbers are well used to dealing with any potential cliff instability.

He added: “This ban is completely ludicrous. The great majority of these cliffs are entirely safe to climb on, and safe approaches are available, which do not cross the affected area.

“We put it on the record that we are not supporting the ban on climbing. As and when Forestry England undertake works to renew the capture fence, we will then advise climbers to stay away from the affected areas until the works are complete.

“We will provide advice through our climbers’ app of the safe approaches and safe areas to climb, and strong advice on the ways not to approach and areas not to climb.”

British Mountaineering Council access and Conservation Officer Jon Fullwood said: “Symonds Yat is a popular and nationally important limestone trad crag in the Wye Valley.

“Climbing is a legal right under normal circumstances. But when the crag was closed temporarily by the landowner, Forestry England, in 2023 due to rockfall, they have now deemed this to a de facto permanent ban on the basis of a geotechnical report that they are unwilling to share will us.

“Forestry England also withdrew, without adequate explanation or justification, an offer to partially open the crag which had been agreed with this council earlier in the year.

“The British Mountaineering Council see this as a disappointing and regrettable decision by a major public body landowner, which sets a terrible precedent for risk management practice elsewhere.

“As such, we do not support this ban on climbing at Symonds Yat. Nevertheless, details of the restriction are shown on our database so that climbers are aware of the landowner’s position and the change in legal access status.

“Efforts are being made to continue to push Forestry England for evidence and explanation, to negotiate a change to the position on access and to prioritise the work needed to open access across the whole crag.”