[tc]

The Thirlmere zip wire proposal was discussed at the BMC meeting in Keswick  on 6th September. Treetop Trek reps were there and  Mike Turner (CEO of Treetop Trek) confirmed that there will indeed be 8  zip wires crossing Thirlmere. The  map diagram published by Treetop Trek, showing two green lines crossing  the lake, has confused many people into thinking that this meant just  two zip wire cables.
Further information was given by Mike Turner in terms of other numbers involved in this proposal:
A group of 16 people will be driven, or can walk, up to the launch site above Swirls car park. The  next group of 16 people will then be taken up to this launch site 30  minutes later. Once the first group has taken the zip wire to the other  side of Thirlmere, they will get off and be transported, or can walk, up  to the next launch site that will return them to the landing area near  the edge of the lake. A total of four developed sites for taking off and  landing. The transport vehicles, to get people up the roads to the launch sites, were described as large, former military vehicles. The  'ride' will cost £50 per person and Treetop Trek anticipate that there  will be something in the region of 50,000 clients per year (a completely  different figure to that published on their displayed information at  public meetings). The zip wires will operate during daylight hours  throughout the year, with the likelihood that the rides will operate  well into the evening during the summer months.
Mike  Turner conceded that the zip wires are noisy in operation (due to the  friction of the wheels on the cable). The Treetop Trek zip wire, located  in a quarry in Snowdonia, can be heard for a considerable distance and  this has proved to be a noise nuisance for walkers in the area. This is in addition to the noise made by the thrillseekers themselves.
No  figures for the number of jobs provided by the scheme were given at the  BMC meeting, but various numbers have been proposed by Treetop Trek at  other meetings. The number of jobs suggested by Treetop Trek ranges from  53 to 28 or 15 and in one case just 6 (this last number being offered  by Mike Turner himself at the meeting of 31st August, at Swirls  Carpark).
The  visual impact on the landscape was discussed. Mike Turner was at great  pains to play down the impact of the eight cables criss-crossing the  lake. It is hard to explain to people who have no cultural, historical  or emotional capital invested in a landscape, what it means to local  people and also to those who choose to visit Lakeland purely for its  magnificence and beauty. Those who can only look at a landscape in terms  of the financial reward that it offers are not in a position to  empathise with such feelings. This was clearly pointed up during the  meeting at Swirls Carpark when Mike Turner appeared frustrated at the  anger of local residents. Turner wanted a calm debate about the issues  and could not understand why people would be so passionate about a  valley that is little used apart from farming and the access road.

Opposition to this proposal is gaining momentum. Your support would be appreciated. Thanks.
           

[lagerstarfish]

looking at nice views? where's the thrill in that?

what about the rights of lazy rich fuckers to pretend that they are doing something difficult and dangerous in the wild outdoors?

[tc]

The Case for Giving a Shit was summed up very well by the Friends of the Lake District this week:

"Our position on the proposed zip wire remains unchanged. We do not consider that proposal would positively contribute to the purposes of the National Park as set out in The Environment Act 1995. These purposes are to:

Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage
Promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of national parks by the public
Some may argue that the proposal could be an opportunity for the promotion and enjoyment of the National Park. However, given the level of detrimental impact this proposal could have on the landscape character visual amenity and tranquillity of the Thirlmere Valley we consider that at the very least it would create conflict between these two purposes.

The Sandford Principle, as revised in The Environment Act 1995, is clear in stating:

"If it appears that there is a conflict between those purposes, [the National Park Authority] shall attach greater weight to the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area".

Furthermore, we remain concerned regarding the precedent that this proposal would set for further inappropriate development in the Thirlmere Valley and the wider Lake District. Whilst the proposal currently being discussed does not include ancillary commercial development related to the zip wire or cycle route we are concerned that this will follow. We believe that National Parks are for everyone not just those who can afford to pay for ‘an experience’. The world class landscapes that warrant the designation as a National Park and World Heritage Site provide many free and wonderful experiences to be enjoyed in different ways."

[lagerstarfish]

whilst I am a very infrequent visitor myself, I find myself drawn to what the Friends of the Lake District have to say on the matter

[lagerstarfish]

I'm not suggesting that someone start such a business, but I'd rather see 50,000 people a year paying a tenner to get exercise moving a well camouflaged pedalo around the water; with lifeguards in motorboats just in case

[lagerstarfish]

and a culturally relevant crazy golf course, obviously

(opium fueled poetry and Beatrix Potter themes)

dry stone wall maze - rebuilt each year by work experience youths

[tc]

Your proposal is intriguing but I foresee practical difficulties with the chanting of the demands during the mass protest marches in Keswick:

"What do we want?"

"Camouflaged pedalos, a culturally relevant crazy golf course, opium fueled poetry, Beatrix Potter themes and a dry stone wall maze!"

"When do we want it?"

"Now!"

Call me a killjoy but I just don't think it's catchy enough.

[mrjonathanr]

So how do we lend our weight?

[tregiffian]

Am  right in thinking that Thirlmere is a United Utilities reservoir? Are they easy in their corporate mind? Contamination issues?

[tc]

So how do we lend our weight?

You can make your views known on the company FB page: https://www.facebook.com/ThirlmereActivityHub/

There's also a FB page for opponents of the proposal: https://www.facebook.com/zipoffThirlmere/posts/1446289548785024?comment_id=1446437908770188&reply_comment_id=1446506142096698&notif_t=feed_comment_reply&notif_id=1505498491792824

[tc]

Am  right in thinking that Thirlmere is a United Utilities reservoir? Are they easy in their corporate mind? Contamination issues?

United Utilities haven't really commented on the proposal as far as I know, except to point out that they would be the "landlord" for the company proposing the zip wire. In other words, they would also make money from it if it goes ahead.

[petejh]

The Case for Giving a Shit was summed up very well by the Friends of the Lake District this week:

"Our position on the proposed zip wire remains unchanged. We do not consider that proposal would positively contribute to the purposes of the National Park as set out in The Environment Act 1995. These purposes are to:

Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage
Promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of national parks by the public
Some may argue that the proposal could be an opportunity for the promotion and enjoyment of the National Park. However, given the level of detrimental impact this proposal could have on the landscape character visual amenity and tranquillity of the Thirlmere Valley we consider that at the very least it would create conflict between these two purposes.
...

Not sure I follow their logic. If we're talking about promoting our cultural heritage, what could be more relevant to our cultural heritage than groups of affluent overweight people travelling along a wire suspended high up in the air?

[Paul B]

Contamination issues?

It's not really a massive issue for raw water.

[Mike Tyson]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-43129452

 

[galpinos]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-43129452

 

There's a thread on UKC about this. Obviously it as ended up in an argument but early on a pertinent post is:

They haven't abandoned the project, they've just withdrawn the current application as they couldn't reach an agreement with the MOD in time.

I'm sure that once they've done this they'll submit a new application. Anyone know whether existing objections will be carried over or binned?

Existing objections will not carry over. Don't start counting those chickens just yet...

[mrjonathanr]

How prescient that post by galpinos is ^^

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/nov/08/lake-district-zip-wire-given-green-light-after-seven-year-battle

[Will Hunt]

It's worth mentioning that that is relating to a different proposed zipwire at Honister. In my view the Honister one isn't really a problem (though I'm open to hearing evidence to the contrary).