Fears for future of one in four threatened moors landmarks

One in four of the most historic buildings and landmarks on the North York Moors face an uncertain future, a new study says

Nearly 200 of the 839 ancient monuments in the National Park have been labelled as being at “high risk” according to a report by park archaeologist Graham Lee – which says a further 135 are medium risk and 506 low risk.

Features such as stone crosses which guided pilgrims down the centuries are in danger of being swallowed up by vegetation or other threats.

He said a business plan had been drawn with English Heritage (EH) and the Park authority to “rescue” various structures.

They range from landmark stone crosses and cairns on the loneliest parts of the vast moors to historic farmsteads and houses.

Mr Lee said the park had set a target of 25 rescues between 2009 and 2012, and had now increased it to 40. Teams of archaeological volunteers have carried out surveys to assess the state of the buildings.

About 40,000 is being spent each year for the next two years, funded by EH and the Landscape Intervention Fund to provide grants.

Work has included spraying bracken, in partnership with the National Trust and Forestry Commission. Action is also being taken to control gorse and clear self-growing trees.

“This year a further 18 monuments have been identified as being at risk,” Mr Lee continued, adding that work is under way on 10 monuments.

Although in the past year some 50 sites have been rescued,the severity of last winter, and difficulty in reaching legal agreements with some landowners, had significantly delayed the start of fieldwork on the sites, added Mr Lee.