The Buttertubs

A mountain rescue team will undertake a special mission this weekend – with what they hope will be rubbish results.

Members of the Swaledale team will be going underground to clear rubbish from some of the Yorkshire Dales’ most notable potholes. The rescuers have teamed up with the park authority to rid the Buttertubs of junk including a half a telegraph pole.

The fluted potholes, near the summit of the 478m (1,568ft)Buttertubs pass between Swaledale and Wensleydale, range in depth from 6m (20ft) to 24m (80ft) and attract many visitors due to their proximity to the road. Unfortunately, they also attract litterbugs and flytippers, despite their status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

James Lamb, area ranger for the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said: “The vast majority of visitors are careful to help protect the site but we have had problems from a minority of people dumping things in the Buttertubs.

“Among the items we’re hoping to recover are a tractor wheel and half a telegraph pole, plus a general accumulation of smaller items of rubbish. 
 
“Getting access into the potholes is difficult and requires specialist equipment and expertise, which is why we asked Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team members if they would help. They have carried out a similar clear-up exercise for us in the past and they were keen to be involved again as they are able to use it as a training exercise.”

The clean up will take place this Saturday, 14 February.

The potholes were formed by water erosion on the limestone rock and they got their name from the story that farmers travelling from Swaledale to Hawes market to sell butter lowered their baskets down the potholes to prevent the butter melting in the hot summer weather.

The national park authority has administered the site since 1992 on behalf of the Gunnerside Estate.