In reply to Rob Dyer, BMC: This is sadly an on-going issue (after all, you posted about exactly the same thing in April 2012 -
https://www.thebmc.co.uk/problems-in-cheddar ) and unfortunately it comes as no surprise to me.
I will yet again make the same suggestion that I have made several times going back to January 2008. Namely that there should be some obvious, clear and 'unmissable' signage at multiple points up and down the gorge detailing the current access status of each major crag(s).
There are several reasons for this approach:
1) It will provide the lazy and indifferent with the information they need to avoid from infringing the agreements.
2) It will make it far easier for both other climbers and passing locals to challenge any climbers they see infringing the agreements.
3) It may help reduce the incidents of climbers reacting unreasonably when correctly challenged by CG&C staff.
but above all
4) It will hopefully make the 'cowboys' and the 'chancers' think twice about infringing the agreement as it completely removes the flimsy excuses they normally give of not being aware of the restrictions.
Having gone back and checked, the reason recorded in the minutes of the Jan 2008 BMC SW Area Meeting for not pursuing this option was a previous statement from the BMC warden Martin Crocker that "notices on the crag would not be acceptable to Cheddar, Caves and Gorge Company".
I don't know whether that is still the case but I remain firmly of the opinion that clear and unambiguous signage, whilst no panacea, would be a sensible and pro-active move.