Ooh Err Missus!It has been a good wee while since I awarded one of my prestigious, and internationally renowned, "Prats of The Week" Awards.
This week it goes to the Peak District National Trust and Derbyshire County Council.
For why?
Well, for many centuries tourists and ramblers have crossed the River Dove using stepping stones.
However, Nanny in the shape of Derbyshire County Council decided that the stones were just too dangerous.
Her solution to this "vexing" health and safety issue?
To place ugly, flat limestone blocks on top of the stones.
The council blame the National Trust, the Telegraph quotes a council spokesman:
"The stepping stones at Dovedale are a public right of way and get a high volume of visitors every day
Over the years the high usage has worn the stones and together with the changing river bed level this meant there was a large discrepancy in the crossing's level from bank to bank.
Some stones were above the water level and others would be flooded, particularly in winter.
The National Trust asked us to look at the stepping stones. We have levelled the stones and brought them up to a consistent height so they are now all at the same level as the highest existing stone.
We are sorry to hear some people do not like them. We have had positive comments from the public and the National Trust."
Michael Innerdale, general manager for the Peak District National Trust, said:
"We feel the work carried out by the county council has improved the condition of the stepping stones, making them more accessible for our visitors.
Derbyshire limestone has been used to repair the stones and in time the stones will weather in appearance."
The regular walkers in the area think that both the council and National trust are a bunch of prats.
So do I!
Peak District National Trust and Derbyshire County Council, well desrving Prats of The Week!
Visit The Orifice of Government Commerce and buy a collector's item.
Visit The Joy of Lard and indulge your lard fantasies.
Show your contempt for Nanny by buying a T shirt or thong from Nanny's Store.
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Celebrate the joy of living with booze. Click and drink!
Visit Oh So Swedish Swedish arts and handicrafts
Why not really indulge yourself, by doing all the things that Nanny really hates? Click on the relevant link to indulge yourselves; Food, Bonking, Toys, Gifts and Flowers, Groceries
Whilst they may have used traditional stone flags, I bet the mortar bedding won't last for hundreds of years...
ReplyDeleteBut people could still trip over and fall in - why not just build a bridge over the river, and be done with it. Can't risk the council getting sued by some idiot.
It is vandalism purely and simply.....What next?....Scaffholding around Stonehenge?....People do not need protecting from themselves; They need protecting from idiots in local councils.....
ReplyDeleteI have slipped on stepping stones in the past, whilst crossing water and fallen in. Did I try and find someone to sue? No, the thought never entered my head. Initially, I may have sworn, as I fell in but, despite the drenching (maybe even because of it) bearing in mind the kind of person I am, I almost certainly found the whole episode highly amusing (as did friends accompanying me!). Why, oh why can't some of these people just get a life?
ReplyDeleteMicrodave said:
ReplyDelete"But people could still trip over and fall in - why not just build a bridge over the river, and be done with it. Can't risk the council getting sued by some idiot."
They don't have to - there's already a footbridge nearby. So no-one HAS to use the stepping stones to cross the bridge. It's down to the official fear of the dreaded water - someone might get their feet soaked in the evil stuff.
This is the thin end of the wedge. Start applying health and safety rules to footpaths and eventually someone will fall, break a leg and sue. The end result of that will be footpaths being closed for safety reasons, and the only way you will be able to view Britain's highest mountains will be through a pair of binoculars from the car park.
ReplyDeleteUtter lunacy.
@ Disgusted, Tunbridge Wells - I bow to your greater local knowledge!
ReplyDeleteOh dear - all that work, and the crossing is STILL not 'wheelchair accessible'
ReplyDeleteUncle John said:
ReplyDelete"Oh dear - all that work, and the crossing is STILL not 'wheelchair accessible"
Ah well, you have to strap a couple of oil drums to it and raft across ;-)