Upper Tees, Flushiemere Access & HEP

[dgg2dwp]

We were interrupted paddling the Flushiemere yesterday by the manager of the site (from NPAOB who manage the site on behalf of Durham County Council who lease the site from Raby Estates)who enquired who we had contacted about paddling it and was challenging our right to be there. We had a long reasonable discussion and I got he impression he didn't really mind and we carried on paddling down- I got the impression they might mark a suggested get on and get off to avoid damage to some of the plants in the area (SSSI status).

He also mentioned that he was involved in the negotiations by the BCU and Raby Estates of a new access agreement on the upper tees - similar to payment/permit system- interestingly we were challenged by a Raby Estates employee last week who was also on about a new access agreement.

With regard to the Flushiemere they are also plans to install a mini hep system which will divert the water away above the large fall (gibsons cave) and return the water at the picnic site. Im not certain if planning consent has been given yet but will have a search.

We still had a good day and did the Hudeshope Burn and then headed to the Eggleston Burn.

[Mad_Erik]

Interesting that something is brewing as far as the upper Tees access is concerned. Does anyone know any more about this...ie, if any changes are for the better or worse?

Just out of interest has anyone paddled the drop at Gibson's cave. I had a look at it a while back and thought that it would need a lot of water to go. Never seen it at a decent level, wonder what it is like.

[quicky]

Are access 'agreements' being secretly organised again or is this and old thing.

[Mad_Erik]

Are access 'agreements' being secretly organised again or is this and old thing.

Not at all!

I don't think 'agreement' comes in to it. It just seems like the estate is re-evaluating its relationship with paddlers... reading between the lines.

[Big Henry]

BCU/CE will reach a new low (if that is possible!) if they agree to a payment-for-access system like they did before! Has anyone involved in this at the BCU ever read that letter from the Welsh Police about the Towey(?) wanting to charge paddlers with fraud if they didn't pay?

[quicky]

Probably not but sending them the letter will be interesting...

[*Guy*]

I've not been able to paddle this section for a while, but it's a firm favourite.

Where can we find more info about the HEP? If it takes out above Gibsons Cave & returns the water at the campsite then virtually all the worthwhile whitewater will be lost, not good as this run's a gem. Incidentally, there is some WW above Gibsons cave, but the eddies above are minimal to say the least. Also, how would the SSSI status affect the proposed HEP? I know there's a small old quarry or such next to the river, but as far as I recall there's no old mill/ previous infrastructure to justify altering this river. Surely if Raby want to generate a decent amount of power why don't they choose a location on their estate with a higher flow and larger drop; HF for example...

Access info re: SSSI status sounds good. Though if you walk up the footpath to Gibson's Cave I expect you'd avoid most delicate things. You needn't get out to scout if you look at it all on the way up. As for Raby expecting people to pay for access, they need to get a reality check.


Wyno likes the sunshine

[Jim_MWX]

Been reading through the Countryside Rights of Way act in regards to access.

It's interesting just how many times the phrase "access agreement" or "access order" gets mentioned, and its not even in relation to canoeing!

[GETWET]

Just out of interest has anyone paddled the drop at Gibson's cave. I had a look at it a while back and thought that it would need a lot of water to go. Never seen it at a decent level, wonder what it is like.

I Investigated it many years ago, and convinced myself that there was little chance of it developing a plunge pool no matter how high thye flow. Shame because it would be a nice drop

[nick 16]

Thought there was a youtube vid of Flushiemere... found it, here it is

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjGEqFSoiuU