Mandale Mine - Lathkill Dale

There have been repeated recent incidences of the gates to the Mandale Mine system being left unsecure, and the Reserve staff are not going to permit this much longer. The combination padlock on the Aqueduct Adit, which anyone could get the code for, has been bashed off many times in the last year. DCA have managed to convince the Reserve team to allow us to go back to a Derbyshire Key (spanner) system for a trial period. Cavers are being put on notice that they will be inspecting the mine gates regularly over the next 6 months and, if the gates are not left secure again, the mines are likely to be permanently sealed and access will be lost to all. We believe the sustained damage to the gates is down to a particular group or individual. Please share this message far and wide, to explorers and urbexers, the mine will be lost if not left secure. You can go in the mine, but don't break in for no reason. Take a spanner, not an angle grinder. Locals and passers by are asked to keep an eye on the gates when then are in the Dale and report issues immediately via the DCA website if anything is not secure, or even better, take a spanner with you and sort it then and there!
To help potential visitors understand that it is a public safety issue that keeps them secured, not elitism, signs are being installed at all our troublesome locations. These point people to the DCA website for access info and to report damage.

https://peakdistrictcaving.info/home/the-caves/lathkill-dale-monyash 
Pete Knight - DCA Projects.

 Mandale Aqueduct Gate (2)  by Pete Knight , on Flickr
 Mandale Aqueduct Gate (3)  by Pete Knight , on Flickr
 Mandale Adit Gate (1)  by Pete Knight , on Flickr

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I think there will always be a problem with people being ill informed.The plaques are a great idea.i think the move back to derbyshire key is the right way forward.it encourages sensibale access and minimises vandalism.

It was the reserve guys who asked to go to a padlock when the old Derbyshire Key system kept being left open. I have convinced them to let us give it 1 more go, but this really is the last warning on these mines.
I've been back up today measuring up for a new DK system on the smashed 'trapdoor' gate above the Incline Level entrance. Could do with a hand dragging steel and concrete here in a week or 2 if anyone is interested!

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Hi Peter,
As you may know I started my Mine exploration in Derbyshire, hence I am a great believer in the area and the openness of access that used to be found across here.
I am a great admirer of the Derbyshire lock and key system and have tried to encourage its adoption in the area of the North Pennines!
So learnof your problems with damage to gates and locks is pretty poor, and I hope that your reversion to the original method bears fruit, and is in turn appreciated by would be mine explorers!

Thanks for your efforts in maintaining access Pete. I've yet to go underground at Mandale - hopefully soon!

Could do with a hand dragging steel and concrete here in a week or 2 if anyone is interested!

More than happy to help with this. Either post on the thread or PM me! May be able to recruit another pair of hands if needed....

Thanks all for offers of help here and via PM. I've got to do some paperwork for NE before they let me at it, but I'll be in touch when it comes together.

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Pete - would it be possible to spring load the gates so they return shut? And to fit a latch which can be opened with a spanner but latches when the gate shuts? I would be happy to help with fabrication of bits if we could come up with a workable solution.

Hi Pete. We're thinking on the same lines. My priority here is a quick safety fix to maintain access but I've already started asking for help designing and making a self locking Derbyshire Key system that we can possibly retrofit onto existing gates and doors through the area.
Any help would be appreciated as I'm no engineer!

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walking the dogs that way this afternoon Pete, will be in touch :thumbup: Ric'

All was well there yesterday. The sign on the adit indicated that a combination is still required - clearly it's not since the chain is bolted in place. I can't help feeling that someone will unbolt and not re-fasten (or cut) it soon 😞 The difficulty at the entrance of course is telling people they only need a spanner without letting this fact out to the general public!

Perhaps a prominent sign inside (ie one that can only be read after entering) explaining the situation might be worthwhile.

I think longer term a self locking gate - freely open-able from the inside, and opened from the outside with a suitable spanner is the way to go.

Thanks for keeping an eye on the Dale guys. I've submitted the risk assessment and construction plan to NE for the upper gate and await their response.

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On Sunday the 12th of May I will be attempting to repair and install a new Derbyshire Key system to the top entrance to Mandale Mine in Lathkill Dale. Although I can probably manage this solo, the risk assessment I have had to do for Natural England requires a team, and also it would be nice to have some company.
The job requires some very simple steel fabrication which I have already prepared, and the mixing of concrete to set a new steel frame in. The supplies will be dropped off by the NE team, we just need to collect water from the river and do the actual job. A few hours only I would imagine.
Offers of assistance greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Pete
DCA Projects Officer

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I’m up for Sunday Pete.

I think we'll have enough hands then. I'll confirm some timings later this week once the reserve guys confirm they have dropped off the concrete supplies.

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I'll try and get down to lend a hand.What time are you down there pete?

Probably morning. Just waiting for the nod on supply drop.

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I'll try and call by as well, though I'll probably be on tow from a hyperactive terrier. mae - got some copies of old Op Mole documents for you.

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Shout up when you get the nod pete,do you need us to bring any tools?Are you parking in over haddon or up near haddon grove dale. AR -thank you so much for the op mole docs,realy appreciated :thumbsup:hope to catch you sunday.

We got the nod. Materials will be there waiting. Parking in the Over Haddon layby down from the P&D. About 9:30-10am. Mine is the black Transit van.
We should be fine for tools. Maybe chuck a full length shovel in if you have one? I have a pair of little Roughneck ones in any case.
Looks like it is me, Pete, a chap not on AN called Ian and either of you guys if you can come by. It is certainly not a 5 person job, so don't make any big deviations to come, but you'd of course be welcome.

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