Natural England

Teams of specialists are today celebrating the launch of a new report which will help to ensure that Derbyshire’s important lead mining history, wildlife and archaeology are protected and secured for future generations.

English Heritage, Derbyshire County Council, Natural England, Peak District National Park Authority, Emda, Derbyshire Caving Association and other key stakeholders came together to produce ‘The Guide to Good Practice for the Treatment of Disused Lead Mine Shafts’, which is the first report of its type in the country to provide practical advice for landowners, engineers, conservationists and cavers.

Lead has been mined in Derbyshire and the Peak District since at least Roman times and the industry was at its greatest in the 17th and 18th centuries when the area played a large part in making Britain the largest producer of lead in Europe. Within the orefield, however, the industry left behind more than 50,000 mine shafts which need to be secured to ensure the safety of people, livestock and other animals.

This is mainly due to some of the earlier techniques that were used to block off the shafts, for example, capping with timber or filling with small trees such as blackthorn and hawthorn, and levelling off with soil and mining waste. Over the years, decay, gravity and the passage of heavy vehicles and agricultural equipment can lead to the eventual failure and collapse of earlier attempts at capping.

Where shafts are open and within land which is accessible to people, it is usually necessary to secure them. The report gives detailed guidance on the different types of shaft treatment, such as capping, fencing and signing and filling, and which methods are most appropriate for ensuring safety of people and animals at the same time as protecting the archaeological, ecological, geological, landscape and recreational value of the shafts.

Jon Humble, English Heritage Inspector of Ancient Monuments, said: “Like documents in the landscape, mine shafts hold important clues to the mining techniques of the past and are vital means of access to mines and caves. Much of this underground world has yet to be explored and read for its archaeological, ecological and geological significance. By treating and maintaining shafts in a sympathetic way we can ensure their remarkable history is secured for many more generations to explore and enjoy.”

Natural England was very pleased to be part of this project. Jon Stewart said: "It has allowed a group of organisations with varied interests to work together, better understand each others’ perspectives and produce an excellent report that can be used by anyone to ensure essential works sustain the cultural and natural heritage values of mine shafts.

“I am particularly pleased that the report sets out a simple method for assessing the suitability of shafts for bats. Mine shafts are important havens for these very interesting and protected creatures, particularly when they are very vulnerable and need to hibernate over winter. Through greater awareness and simple changes to the way we do things we can maintain lots of opportunities to help them live and thrive.”

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS:

Media enquiries to Gaby Hateley at GNN East Midlands on 0115 971 2797 or gabrielle.hateley@gnn.gsi.gov.uk

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English Heritage is the government’s lead body for the historic environment in England and is responsible for protecting the best of the country’s unique legacy of historic buildings, landscapes and archaeological sites for the benefit of this and future generations. For full details please visit www.english-heritage.org.uk or contact English Heritage customer services on 0870 333 1181.