In reply to Mattyk:
I believe the rope has been in place for several months now. certainly since last winter - and I don't know what prompted it. However it is easy to step accross and I know of several climbers who have been there this year and no one - to my knowledge, has been challenged. The woods on this side are keepered for breeding pheasants and have always been 'private land' but climbing seems to be tolerated. Things may change if the place ever becomes really popular but, despite the best efforts of Tony and I in the 1990s, that never happened. I suggest keep going in small groups and if anyone is challenged in the future try to find out the reasons and who to contact for further discussion.