Teesdale waterfalls anti-nuisance rules come into force


The River Tees has plunged into this gorge for thousands of years. The rocks that the falls reveal have, apparently, origins dating back over 300 million years!

New rules targeting anti-social behaviour at three waterfall beauty spots have come into force.

A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) has been made for High Force, Low Force and Gibson’s Cave in Teesdale.

Durham County Council said there had been a “large influx” of visitors during the coronavirus pandemic, with an increase in problems.

The council said there had been problems with alcohol and substance abuse, people leaving litter and waste, irresponsible use of barbecues, graffiti and jumping from cliffs and bridges.

The council said it would be an offence to:

  • Continue to drink alcohol when asked to stop
  • Be under the influence of controlled drugs
  • Light a fire or barbecue
  • Behave in a way that causes or is likely to cause harassment, obstruction or concern for safety to others, including congregating in a group
  • Threaten and/or abuse people
  • Throw objects which can cause damage, nuisance, or injury to any person, animal or structure
  • Camp or sleep overnight

Good for Durham … :+1:

The UK countryside is being blighted by the selfish behaviour of morons … :angry:

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Wouldn’t it just be easier to divert the water into a concrete culvert and tarmac over the whole area?

So if some innocent country lover wants to camp there they are in trouble ?
I can see the problem but also that the countryside is becoming more and more restrictive.

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Apart from certain parts of Dartmoor, wild camping is not permitted in England nor Wales, so they’d potentially be in trouble anyway unless they had permission from the landowner (whoever that is).

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Additionally, these rules have been made necessary because of the countrywide irresponsible behaviour of morons on public land during the pandemic and which is currently evidenced by the recurrence of wildfires throughout the UK caused by morons and their disposable barbeques.

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Heard what you’re saying, but it’s unclear whether these are actually new rules or just clarifying/spelling out what’s already in place to make it simple for certain undesirables with lesser, er, empathetic imagination, to read in online or poster form.

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New rules targeting anti-social behaviour at three waterfall beauty spots have come into force.

Why do people behave badly ?
I have never been wild camping or even used a disposable barbecue and have no plans to do so in the future but even when I was young and we went on picnics etc we were always careful of the countryside . No one gave us lessons on being environmentally responsible we just were.

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Okey dokey. No point arguing with you over whether these are already statutory or not, since you’re not making the claim and you’re just citing the council.

Anyway, as you imply, the real issue is that once again the actions of a small minority of cretins will make things a little less lax and liberal for the majority.

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Helpful links:

Published August 11, 2022 9.57am

New measures to tackle anti-social behaviour at a popular Teesdale beauty spot have come into force.

We have introduced a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in the area around High Force, Low Force and Gibson’s Cave.

PSPOs

Public Spaces Protection Orders

Guidance for councils

Additionally, there is a Parliamentary Bill in progress:

https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3068

Disposable Barbecues Bill

Private Members’ Bill (under the Ten Minute Rule)

Originated in the House of Commons, Session 2021-22

Last updated: 29 April 2022 at 16:16

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If you could solve that, then we wouldn’t need to lock our doors and have to worry about letting our offspring go out to play in parks relatively unattended.

I suspect that it’s always been a proportion thing. With increased global population there will be a larger number of incidents (albeit possibly not fractionally different), which thus require a more harsh response to try and protect things.

Edit - thanks for that info Omah. Let’s hope it helps, eh?

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We all have to abide by rules and regulations.
Has Durham County Council considered how these rules are going to be applied?

Some of them are open to interpretation, I’m not spoiling for a fight here, far from it, given that councils are strapped for cash these days I’d be interested to know how they intend to make this work.
Good luck to them!

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Enforcement powers for anti-social behaviour at High and Low Force

Enforcement and penalties

Neighbourhood wardens, our trained staff and Durham Constabulary have the power to issue a fine (fixed penalty notice) of £100 for failing to follow the PSPO. The fine is reduced to £60 if it is paid within ten working days of issue. If the FPN is not paid, you will be taken to court. The maximum fine is £1,000.

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I wish the constabulary were so concerned about burglary .

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All well and good in theory.
Putting it into practice might be a different matter.

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Of course, but something needs to be done to prevent this sort of countryside “litter”:

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Hi

When I was working we did some postcode mapping for crime, social issues and enforcement costs.

Over 4 month period all enforcement agencies,fire service.etc, 83% of time was spent in dealing with 2% of the population.

That unfortunately is a fact of life today.

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Very true Omah,
That’s a disgrace! I’m thinking of getting a fishing permit for a local pond, it’s just that all the rubbish and discarded Stella cans are a bit off putting.

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Ugh that is a disgusting sight…its people like this who spoil it for the rest of us, and end up with areas being cordoned off :rage:

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I never understand people who leave this mess.
Are they so well off they can abandon tents just like that .
They lug all this stuff to the place why can’t they take it back when it’s so much lighter ?
The answer is bring back the stocks so they can be pelted with all their own abandoned litter ,

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