New Dovedale stepping stones washed away in heavy rain despite council approval
Just six months ago there was outrage as the centuries-old stepping stones in the Derbyshire Dales' River Dove were covered with large slabs for health and safety reasons.And now it seems Mother Nature has shown her own disgust, prompting the closure of the popular beauty spot during the busy half-term week.Heavy rains and the force of the river's flow have pushed three of the new slabs over, with one of them considered so unstable 'it could be a potential danger', according to the local council.
Out of bounds: The famous stepping stones across the River Dove in the picturesque Derbyshire Dales have been closed by the county council for 'health and safety reasons' after three were washed away and caused a flood
Loose: The river subsided on Friday but the council admitted yesterday hat one of the slabs is still 'unstable and could be a potential danger'
Walkers claim that far from keeping people dry and safe, the increased height of the limestone blocks meant they trapped debris and restricted the flow more as water levels rose, causing the river to break its banks. After waiting days for the river level to subside, the fallen stones were righted on Friday. But due to the ongoing problems with one slab, the route will remain closed this week. The stepping stones across the River Dove in the Derbyshire Dales, near Ashbourne, were made famous by Izaak Walton in his 1676 fishing book, The Compleat Angler.
Precision: Derbyshire County Council carefully laid limestone slabs on top of the weathered stone to prevent people slipping on them...but just months later some were washed away by the River Dove and caused a! floodThey were gradually worn down as countless ramblers, anglers and tourists, and their weathered shapes became a much-loved part of the scenery in an area visited by more than a million visitors a year. But the council decided last August that the rocks did not provide a firm enough footing and had slabs cemented on top of them. The way it was: For decades tourists have marvelled at the famous stepping stones across the River Dove in the Derbyshire Dales, which were made famous by author Izaak Walton in his 17th century fishing book The Compleat AnglerHe visited the site yesterday and said one of the slabs has a definite wobble. He said: I suspect it wobbles because the limestone slab has made the stones top heavy.It just seems ironic that the council alter them in the first place because of safety issues but all they have achieved so far is to make the area a bit of a hazard.More...
Critics described the change as a mortar and limestone slab sandwich and a Facebook group with 1,683 members called for the stones to be restored to their past glory.Dominic Salt, 34, one of the online groups founders, said: Im not the sort of person that wants to gloat but this sort of makes you feel that way. It appears that from a health and safety point of view at least, weve all been proved right about the stones. It just shows you cant ignore nature.
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