RSPB Saltholme opening times

[Brian Martin]

If they need to monitor visitors I am sure people could register there presence on their way out via the visitor centre

[Brian Martin]

Regarding security at salthholme, as quoted by LockhartH at the moment the gates and hides are opened at 8am and guides go to them at 9-9:30am which is ample time for any undesirable to do what he wants.
Today I visited haverton and then proceeded onto the reserve at 9am via haverton gate and visited Paddies and Wild life watch point and saw no one until visitors arrived after 10am, assuming the gate was open at 8am. That's 2 hours when anybody could come on site (Anybody except members) and do what they want.
 Surely it is a security benefit to allow members on sight after 8am they could report anything suspicious or of importance.

[Lockhart]

I did say we're short of guides on Saturdays.  Today, I was the only one on duty for most of the day and I didn't start until 12 (I've been dong that for about 18 months after a health problem last year).  However, there are also members of the Estate team out and about, and the average low-life isn't usually in the habit of getting up at the crack of dawn.

Incidentally, I spoke to a couple of people today who were able to confirm that the previous "early access" scheme was abandoned because it wasn't being used.  I also learned that Saltholme had to make special arrangements with SABIC and their security providers to enable that scheme to take place; I don't know enough about the arrangements to comment on whether similar arrangements would have to be made for future schemes involving extended access.

At risk of repeating myself, if you're serious about these suggestions then it's best to address them directly (preferably in writing) to the management team at Saltholme.

[Brian Martin]

When you say early access scheme do you mean people where coming onto sight prior to the place been opened up or what I am proposing which is to come onto sight after the gates are opened at 8am.
With regards to the scheme being abandoned, there would be nothing to abandon as everything would be running the same as it is now but we would be officially allowed in if the gates and hides are open.

[Lockhart]

I don't know the full details as it was before my time (more than 5 years ago) but I believe it involved letting people (specifically TBC members) in via a side gate on certain days, from 8am.  When I say abandoned, that side gate stopped being opened, and the guides stopped making a point of coming in early to greet eager visitors who didn't exist.

As per my earilier comment, there *is* a trial scheme for early access coming again (I think it's due to run from some time in January), but it will suffer the same fate as the last one if people don't actually use it.

[Lockhart]

And to repeat myself *again*, if you're serious about your proposals, TAKE THEM TO THE MANAGEMENT TEAM.  Posting on a TBC forum does NOT constitute bringing your ideas to their attention.

[Brian Martin]

I do plan to speak to them but needed to glean as much info as possible from anybody who was prepared to give it before I speak to them, and I do appreciate all the info you have given, Thank you

[Lockhart]

Bear in mind that one or two things I've mentioned are from 2nd or 3rd hand info (e.g. I don't know exactly when the previous scheme ran).  I think everyone will be interested to hear how you get on . . .

[Jamie]

I think one problem is that opening at 8am does not help the majority who work 9-5 so the only ones using the scheme will be the people who could come in during the day so you will probably just end up with the keenest subset of them. Having late openings instead until say 8pm would allow the 9-5 brigade access and I am sure it would be taken up a lot better compared to the early access

[Brian Martin]

I agree and will also ask the question and see what they say.

[Brian Martin]

Ideally it would be good to have all of the Saltholme reserve available for access all of the time. The reason that parts of the reserve are not open 24/7 is simply a reflection of the fact that we are on Teesside and that there are some valuable assets that I am eager to ensure remain intact.
I perfectly understand the frustrations, Saltholme is a great place and before RSPB arrived there was only at best unofficial access to some parts.
It is worth remembering that it is only part of the reserve that has restricted access. You can go to Dorman`s pool any time and if you are a key holder can get into the hide (TBC manage the key holder system). You can also go up to Greatham Creek and walk the length of Saltern Wetlands. The area at Haverton view point, the Allotment pool and the scrub area is also open all the time.
By special arrangement with TBC, we installed the Phil Stead hide and this is available from 8am every morning except Christmas Day (we actually get that day off). All those other Bank Holidays when most folk are out having a good time; we are here working ... and also having a good time by the way!
In the New Year we are offering an Early Birder ticket as an experiment that will allow RSPB members early access from 8am to those areas of the reserve that we close down. You can find out the details of the Early Birder tickets from the Saltholme visitor centre reception.
I hope that everyone can appreciate the reason why all of the reserve is not open access and take full advantage of those areas that are.
Thanks
Dave Braithwaite
Senior Site Manager

In case some people have missed this post on the rspb announcements page via Dave_N , This is the response from Dave Braithwaite, I also spoke to Dave yesterday who said he would like to run this to start with but would look at other options suggested after seeing how this goes.

[Lockhart]

Thanks for the update Brian.

I hope enough people actually use the early access scheme, so it remains in place after the trial period.