Both Beevors shaft at Grassington and the Engine shaft at Cononley mine have
been capped with steel mesh which allows visitors to stand on top of the
shaft and peer down. I have a picture of the Cononley shaft on my web site
@,
http://www.mroe.freeserve.co.uk/shafts.htm
As has already been mentioned there are a number of factors to consider when
considering capping shafts such as bat access. Equally important is the
impact that it will make to the archaeology of the site. Capping often
alters or damages the top of the shaft. Bringing plant and equipment onto
the site to carry out the capping work can also cause damage. There have
been numerous cases where wholesale capping programs have caused irreparable
damage to mining lanscapes. Both an archaeological and ecological evaluation
should be considered as essential.
If bats are present remember to make the holes in the cap big enough! It
sound obvious but i have heard of cases where this has been forgotten.
Martin Roe
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