The whole of the high fells area around Honister Pass is designated as open access under the CROW act. This does not confer an automatic "right to roam" however.
Public access rights under the CROW act do not apply if the land is "excepted land", even if it is mapped as Open Access land. The most pertinent of the "excepted land" class is "Quarries and other active mineral workings".
See
https://www.gov.uk/open-access-land-management-rights-and-responsibilities
In the normal circumstance, a working quarry will be fenced and it will be obvious where the excluded land begins and ends. However given the extended area of workings at Honister, the mixture of used and disused workings and the lack of fences and signage (a good thing in my opinion) it will be difficult to see on the ground where permitted access begins and ends.
Like many I find myself conflicted over the activities of the late Mark Weir. Whilst his efforts to keep slate mining and the non-tourist economy of the Lake District alive may be applauded I find it difficult to support importing gangs of screaming zip-wire users to disturb the ambience of the heart of a National Park. The problem is, it may not be possible to support the one without the other.
Regards
Frank Westcott
westenviro.com
Technical Solutions for Sustainability and Brownfield Development
Magnolia House, 15a Fore Street, Roche, St Austell, Cornwall PL26 8EP
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On 24 Jul 2015, at 20:58, Sallie Bassham wrote:
> Like those of you who are my age, or older, I used to wander the Honister slate mines. Since Mark Weir bought the mines, I have not been underground there.
> How far may I wander the surface under the Right to Roam Act?
> Today, I walked up to Fleetwith Pike and then wandered back to the car park by way of various disused quarries and their ruined buildings. I avoided falling over any precipices and did not pass any "Keep Out" notices. On one of the tracks, I was shouted at and told that there was no public access. No discussion was permitted.
> I do not expect to be allowed to wander into a working mine. I do not trespass into slate working-buildings. I never touch diggers or other machinery.
> But since Fleetwith Pike and its surrounding acres are 'unimproved land', I expect to have the 'right to roam'.
> Where exactly may I roam?
> Sallie
>
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