in a top level comment is that text is extracted from the top linked article or from a given link (and no link was provided) not that such text might be found somewhere on the internet.
That aside, portions of the Solway Firth are perhaps an exception if commercial harvesting is permitted given the law in question:
is riddled with carve outs for Wales and Scotland (Solway being Scotland to the north and England to the south) along with clauses allowing local authorities to issue licences to permit activities, and Section 18 (1) .. unlawful to excavate or remove any materials .. (subject to exceptions following) ending with (11) Nothing in this section shall be construed as authorising a coast protection authority in Scotland to institute proceedings for any offence under this Act.
Almost certainly that tower was of galvanized steel, so if the mystery adbuctors had knowledge of welding or metallurgy (no idea if that was the case) they'd know that plasma cutters would be toxic overkill unless they knew how to paint/paste where they cut. Portable chop saws would do just fine. I witnessed pros take down a radio tower by remote-controlled chop saws cutting the guy wires sequentially.
Old timers will say, incorrectly, "just drink some milk"
On a serious note, a short term exposure like this probably wouldn't be that harmful*, and they seem like risk-takers already so the hazards are factored in for them.
Sure, but if you’ve ever been around high tension mental cables before you’ll realize you need a huge pair of balls to cut those. It’s not safety protocols, it’s fear that it might cut you in half.
I had the same question. Intuitively, I don’t think so, but that’s based on nothing but simulating it in my head. In reality you might risk the tower collapsing on you if you cut too many.
These towers often have several sets of tension cables at various heights, so you could cut the outermost/tallest set, drop the top-third of the tower, and work your way down. Still dangerous, but it's not always "bring all 500' down at once".
That's how I would do it without remote cutters, a small shaped charge, or thermite. Fall direction will be completely out of control, so it would be worth being close to the tower to reach a safe area.
I don't see how you would have less control by backing off tensioners vs. destructive approach. You don't have to release all guys at once in either case.
I live in a village on Dartmoor, UK, complete with a pub dating back to the 12th century. But the village shop has disappeared, the internet and even the water connection seem increasingly fragile. On the other hand, working from home in my own office with a view across the valley, and working on our woodland are great for body and soul. Also, there are enough children around that our kids don’t feel isolated - at the same time we’ve never worried about traffic when they go off on their explorations.
