Andy,
as the rules stand (and rules are rules...lol) South Shields pier is out of bounds for the NvS Comp. if (and they will be) the gates are closed.
It's a shame this debate is going on on a thread about the NvS Comp....it's supposed to be a fun, light-hearted affair with the intention of creating a bit friendly rivalry, both on the Board and during the comp itself........however in reply to Terry.......
The signs on the gate stating,
" WARNING During Bad weather this pier is dangerous.
These gates are locked for the protection of the public."
may well be new signs.....but the wording is the same as the signs I seen last year when I went down to have a look for prohibition of access notices on the gate.........
There are no prohibition of access notices - there are no notices saying it is illegal to go beyoned the gate when it's closed, there are no notices saying you'd be tresspassing if you went beyoned the gate when it's closed and there is no sign saying that you'd be in contravention of any Bye-Law by going beyoned the gate when it's closed.
The National Trust signs (and barrier rails) erected along the whole stretch of cliff top from Shields to Seaburn carry a similar warning......
"WARNING it is dangerous to cross the barrier"
I agree with what you said about the barrier rails on the cliff-tops:
"The cliff tops as i mentioned above is purely adivising you of the dangers, and it is down to your own choice."
so too, then is the sign on the gate of the pier, in that case.
So if the organisers of the Shields Open allow competitors to contravene the safety barriers and notices along the cliff-tops (notices which were erected following continuous Risk Assessment by the National Trust), why do they say that the pier is out of bounds........aren't they contravening similar safety issues by allowing people to fish the cliffs??
Don't get me wrong - I'm not condoning the climbing around the gate on the pier - just as I'm not condoning going beyoned the cliff-top rail - nor am I (and nor are either of the signs) stating that you are forbidden to do so........all I am saying, like you, is that's it's a matter of "your own choice" to do so, or not.