When wieght of numbers comes into it then yes you are right. See the news posting on TMA (county Clare I think) about the State buying a dolmen to 'control access' to the site. It then states that just 1000 people a year visit it. Just 1000! and damage is being done.

What are the alternatives? A bigger fence fruther away so that it does not infringe on the asthetics of the site? Or a Newgrange like system where only 50 fee paying people are allowed on site at any one time? Cover them in a fibreglass repro skin? How about erecting a copy near by that people can climb over ... nope think of the litigation consequences!

I don't know the answers really, but I do hate railings that enclose a site just 2m from it and ruined the 'view'.

Passing it back RG.