Having watched the documentary about Mark Weir and Honister Slate Mines (BBC 4 , July 1, Tales from the National Parks), I was astonished to hear the blinkered views held not only by the majority of somewhat elderly members of the Lake District National Park Authority development control committee, but also by the representatives of Friends of the Lake District, in turning down planning for a zip wire at Honister three years ago.
Mark Weir had more oomph and entrepreneurmanship in his little finger than the majority of these people put together.
Hurrah for Richard Leafe, chief executive of the national park authority, and for one gentleman in particular on the committee who lent their support in favour of development in this area.
The zip wire would not only have created more jobs in this fairly remote and least-visited part of the Lake District, but would have encouraged all ages of visitors to take to the fells, who otherwise probably wouldn't venture far beyond the more popular 'honeypots'.
If the residents of some of the most beautiful parts of the world (Switzerland, Scotland, Austria, Germany, Wales, New Zealand to name but a few) can happily live alongside zip wires, chair lifts and cable cars, I can see no reason why the residents of, and visitors to, Cumbria are unable to do the same.
I have lived in the Lakes for most of my life, walk in this glorious area as much as I can, and have been a member of the Friends of the Lake District for some time. I am forthwith withdrawing my membership of this shortsighted organisation.
I have never met Mark Weir or any members of his family, and am not connected with Honister Slate Mines in any way, but I would like to say what a massive loss this foresighted and tenacious gentleman was to the Lake District and its economy.
Tourism is the backbone of Cumbria - without it this county would collapse in a heap. How sad and dangerous it is that Friends of the Lake District and certain members of the national park authority's development control committee are ignoring that fact.
Louise Broughton
Bowness
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