User attention

The following is from the Forestry England website: 

"Symonds Yat Rockfall update

Updated 1st August 2024

On 8 August 2023 a major rockfall took place from the cliffs at Symonds Yat Rock. Since then, we have asked all climbers to avoid using the area and the areas directly below the rockface. We have also had to formally close the public right of way leading down from Symonds Yat Rock to the River Wye (see map below).

We immediately sought professional ground engineering and geotechnical advice from a private consultancy firm. The consultant inspected the rockfall site and further parts of Symonds Yat Rock. As a result of this advice, we have put in place a Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) dedicated land closure to prevent climbers accessing the cliff face, and we will be keeping the public right of way closed for the foreseeable future. This action has significantly reduced the assessed risk as much as possible, as advised by our specialist consultants.

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.

Why are we asking you not to climb at Symonds Yat Rock?

Since August 2023, there have been further rockfalls and so, on the advice of our engineering experts, we have closed the cliff face to climbers. This is for your safety and the safety of others. A closure has been issued by Natural England (case number 2024030132) and this prevents public access. This closure is in addition to the public right of way closure that is also in place along the footpath leading down to the river.  At the moment, we don’t know whether another rockfall will happen somewhere else along the cliff face and without mitigation strategies in place, we can't take this risk. 

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.

In the meantime, we thank you for your continued patience and co-operation."

BMC Comments:

The extended closure has a nominal expiry date of the of 31/03/25. At which point the restriction will have to be reviewed by the Relevant Authority and an extension applied for. In this case the Relevant Authority is the Forestry Commission, of whom Forestry England is an executive agency. No clear indication has been given regarding the duration of the closure.

While the restriction is in place the right of access under CRoW is suspended and climbers choosing to ignore it would therefore be trespassing.

Landowners cannot normally restrict CRoW access on the basis of hazards arising from natural features in the landscape. 

Following a Freedom of Information request submitted by a climber the BMC have been able to see the report on which the current closures are based. The report outlines that these rocks as a natural feature of the landscape are prone to continual erosion, which by nature cannot be predicted with total certainty, whilst highlighting which areas appear most and least prone to further erosion. It then goes on to state that these risks are unacceptable ones for climbers to take anywhere on the crag, and on this basis the whole crag should be restricted until this can be remedied. These are facts that are known to rock climbers and are worked with to a greater or lesser extent on all crags. As such the BMC consider the commission and use of this sort of risk assessment as justification for an open ended full ban by a major landowner to represent a serious precedent for crag access generally. The BMC does not consider the current restriction justified or proportionate.

Efforts are ongoing to challenge this decision and gain at least partial crag opening through addressing specific concerns where these can be justified. *The case number quoted by FE here is incorrect. The correct case reference number is 202400132

Note the bird restriction on White Wall is still valid please do not climb in this sector after 1st March

Update Nov24

A meeting between the BMC  with Forestry England took place early November to clarify the situation and gain an understanding of their plans and concerns. They outlined that because their geotechnical report highlighted unacceptable risks to the public and property below the crag, they felt obligated as the landowner to close access to all users until these risks could be addressed. Assurance was given that the ban would be temporary whilst they sought funding for the recommended rock stabilisation and fence upgrade work. Their wish was expressed that climbing could resume as soon as they could assess it as safe and reiterated that they don't hold climbers responsible in anyway.

It was stated that as the rock fall was ‘unexpected’ it would take time to obtain the significant funding required to carry out design works and to tender for contractors. Design work is expected to start soon, however for funding reasons the main work is unlikely to start until the next financial year (April 25 onwards). FE expressed commitment to address the situation as soon as possible, with a project team already engaged on the task. They agreed in principle to work with the BMC and BMC geotechnical experts to assess ongoing risk and potentially allow assistance with rock stabilisation work. Additionally, subject to further inspections, it may be possible to open access to low risk areas of the crag.