Hi there,
I was contacted today regarding a breach of the bird ban on the Old Redoubt. This restriction includes the DWS including MMT and also covers Rainbow Bridge area if the Great Cave is used for access. It is an important nesting site for guillemots, fulmars and other sea birds. It is also very closely monitored by the RSPB, Natural England and the Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust. No climbing is allowed in this area between March and the 1st August and during this period the Great Cave must absolutely not be accessed. The details of this are laid out clearly in the S Devon guide, the RAD and UKC. If you are climbing in this area during the restriction, you are potentially subject to a £1000 fine due to a local bylaw established many years ago during the initial negotiations for climbing here. The activities of climbers in Torbay and around the wider coastal areas in the SW are under a great deal of scrutiny as never before and we must absolutely not act in ways that create friction, breach carefully negotiated restrictions or most importantly cause damage or disturbance to flora and fauna. Most climbers are fantastic at respecting these restrictions and anyway, it's not too long until the 1st of August.
James Mann (BMC Access rep)
