Zip wires over Thirlmere to boost Cumbria tourism? Who believes that? When the LEP and Cumbria Tourism say that our businesses need greater visitor numbers, it is hard to argue, and yet visitor numbers are increasing already. Do we know why? Expand The debate over the planning application to erect eight zip lines over the open water of Thirlmere is coming to head as the deadline for comments is on 12 January. Friends of the Lake District has already clearly outlined the planning and landscape reasons why this development should not go ahead – that it would conflict with National Park purposes and planning policy, is inappropriate and so would destroy landscape character, visual amenity and tranquillity. This is what it says in our official response, and what these technical phrases actually mean is that this proposal would deprive visitors to our National Park of the special benefits they currently experience for free. Image: Thirlmere by Tony Stephenson This is why I have been surprised and disappointed by the reactions of Cumbria’s Local Enterprise Partnership and of Cumbria Tourism. The LEP’s Strategic Economic Plan 2014-2024 lists “Vibrant rural and visitor economy” as a priority. Between 2015 and 2016 visitor numbers to Cumbria and the Lake District rose to over 45 million, bringing £2.72 billion into the County and supporting 36,240 full time equivalent jobs. Actual job opportunities created, bearing in mind that many people want to work part time, is over 62,000, 20% of Cumbria’s employment. Anecdotally, we welcomed even more visitors in 2017. So when the LEP and Cumbria Tourism say that our businesses need greater visitor numbers, it is hard to argue, and yet visitor numbers are increasing already. Do we know why? Perhaps a weaker sterling and nervousness over travelling has kept more people at home in the UK, but they then still have to choose to come to our County. And we do know why they do that. Cumbria Tourism’s own figures show that almost 70% of visitors come here because of our scenery and landscape, and that over half are drawn by the atmospheric characteristics of the area, using words such as “peaceful”, “relaxing” and “beautiful”. And this is why the attitude of Cumbria LEP and especially Cumbria Tourism baffles me. I have been listening to rural businessmen across Cumbria for nearly 20 years, and to a man and woman, everyone has acknowledged the importance of our spectacular landscape in attracting customers. They recognise the value, the uniqueness of this place. Image: Thirlmere by Tony Stephenson So why would Cumbria LEP and Cumbria Tourism support plans that will obviously benefit one single organisation and yet threatens the livelihoods of many others by damaging the very features that attracts so many of their customers, and that gives them a unique advantage over competitors outside Cumbria? Some may try to dismiss this as a spurious argument, but zip wires can be erected anywhere. We have one Thirlmere. Nowhere else looks exactly like it. We have one Lake District. It has a world famous reputation and is now recognised as a World Heritage Site. Why spoil all this, a prime example of how a landscape can benefit the local economy, to satisfy the business ambitions of one organisation? If the Lake District Park Authority can ignore its own planning policy and undermine its status as a World Heritage Site, then nowhere in this country will ever be safe from inappropriate development again.
Experience of Zip Wires at another UNESCO World Heritage Site We recently received an interesting article and images from one of our members, Peter Knowles. He has written about his personal experience of zipwire development over the Tara Gorge in Montenegro. Expand Peter, like us, is opposed to 'Thirlmere Activity Hub' planning application and his blog provides an illuminating and sobering insight into the potential impact that zipwire development can have on an area, its character and landscape quality. Many thanks to Peter for taking the time to write to us. Peter Knowles, Keswick, writes: "Perhaps it would be helpful to share with members my personal experience of the zip wires that have been built over the Tara Gorge in the new country of Montenegro. This is widely regarded as “Europe’s Grand Canyon” and is part of the Durmitor National Park, which like the Lake District has been selected for UNESCO World Heritage Status. "I first visited the Tara Gorge in 2007. It was very much like Thirlmere is now. There was a main road, a high bridge, a single parking lot and a restaurant. Tourists drove up, walked across the bridge, admired the magnificent view, took some photos and maybe had some refreshment. You might call this quiet enjoyment. No doubt a few were inspired to return for a future visit to walk and enjoy the National Park. "I returned to the Tara Gorge again in 2016. Sadly, planning controls in the new country of Montenegro had proved to be rather lax. Four zip wires had been built across the gorge and there were now several car parks, cafes, souvenir shops, etc. The place was buzzing with coaches and car loads of tourists who had driven 3 hours from the coast specifically to do the zip wires. It was noisy with the screech of the pulleys, the delighted screams of the participants and the shouts from their friends – it reminded me of Blackpool Fun Fair when I was a kid. "I returned again this year in June. It was even busier with lots of cars, coaches, traffic and parking problems. Another double Zip wire had been built - at over a kilometer long it was claimed to be the longest in Europe. Our group and myself had a go on this – and yes it was fun and a huge adrenaline buzz! Did it though enhance our experience of this magnificent gorge? Definitely not! Our group all agreed that the development, traffic, people and the noise that accompanied the zip wires ruined our enjoyment of this World Heritage Site. "I should mention that I am a friend with Mira who owns the longest zip wire operation. Over a drink I asked him how he was doing and whether it was profitable - “Peter my friend – I have never had it so good – I think you say a cash cow?” "I don’t think we can blame the Treetop company for trying to get planning permission – the potential profits for them are huge. However my personal experience and all that we know of Zip wire operations elsewhere (check out the internet) tells us that far from providing a “quality tourist experience” as claimed – I believe that it will do the very opposite and it will damage the future status of the Lake District National Park as a quality tourist destination. "Like everyone else who enjoys Thirlmere, I completely agree with the Friends of the Lake District that this is would be a wholly inappropriate development in this location."
Single big hit for tourism in the Lake District is not the answer for Cumbria A zipwire in Cumbria may well bring economic benefits, but not if it is in the wrong place and damages the unique landscapes that sustain Cumbria and its visitors, both spiritually and economically. Expand Cumbria Chamber of Commerce has written to the Lake District National Park Authority expressing support for the planning application for eight zipwires across Thirlmere’s open waters. Image: David Mart Rob Johnston, the Chamber’s Chief Executive, claims, “The economic benefits are likely to be substantial. It would create 28 full-time equivalent jobs, attract 127,000 visitors annually and boost GVA by £1.3m, so helping to “foster the economic and social well-being of local communities within the national park” – one of the National Park’s stated objectives”. Friends of the Lake District is not anti-enterprise – we recognise that we need people living and earning their livings across the County, but this should be for the benefit, not at the expense of the landscape. I can see how the Chamber of Commerce might see this development as a “big hit” of benefits, but this is surely a case where a single development will benefit one business, attracting a relatively small amount of visitors – but significantly and worryingly to one spot, paying a relatively large amount of money for a relatively short experience. The effect on the landscape however threatens many other small, locally-run businesses who recognise that these dramatic, unspoilt views are a major contribution to what attracts their customers here instead of elsewhere. For Mr Johnston to say that “the impact of a zipwire would be trivial” i.e. “not worth bothering about”, is frankly disappointing. Those who love Thirlmere for what it is, and those whose businesses depend on visitors there, will no doubt disagree strongly. This is not a debate that zipwires are wrong, but that they shouldn’t be erected in the wrong place. Cumbria Chamber of Commerce represents businesses across the whole of the County. Should they not be encouraging a development like this, not in a National Park and World Heritage Site, but in an area outwith the Park where there is a clear need for more jobs such as on the West Coast? This would also help to disperse visitor numbers over a wider area, spreading the economic benefits and diluting our traffic problems in the tourism hotspots. Mr Johnston also says that this development would help meet “one of the National Park’s stated objectives”. What everyone must remember is that National Parks can only allow major development when it cannot be anywhere else, it is a national need and in the public interest. This cannot be the case here. Specifically the LDNPA Core Strategy includes “We want to protect visual amenity, including the skyline ..” and “‘We will support initiatives that reduce non-essential travel, especially car based visitors, over Dunmail Raise between North and Central/South East areas. A zipwire in Cumbria may well bring economic benefits, but not if it is in the wrong place and damages the unique landscapes that sustain Cumbria and its visitors, both spiritually and economically.
Zip wires over Thirlmere’s open waters. Should our hearts rule our heads? Head versus heart decision? In this case, there is no conflict, and this proposed development should be refused. Expand Last day before the consultation closes. Last day to make sure that we have had our say, that any points we are bursting to make are registered. Of course, this is “just a planning application”, that is in a prescribed process and any decisions must follow planning rules. But even within the National Park and World Heritage Site that is the Lake District, Thirlmere is a special place. The birthplace of the conservation movement. The valley that links the North and South Lakes. A distinctive landscape in itself. There are those who say that Thirlmere is a manmade landscape. Of course it is, just as the majority of Cumbria’s landscapes are. From the tapestry of colours and shapes created by our farmers and foresters and drystone wallers, through the historic bridges that look “just right” in their setting, to the distinctive buildings in our villages and farm steadings, the hand of man is everywhere and contributes to the majesty and beauty of the area. These all contributed to our being granted World Heritage status. Thirlmere is specifically mentioned in the Inscription. Image by Christine Shaw Some say, “Well, there’s a road and car parks there anyway, so what tranquillity is there to spoil?” Unless I’m misunderstanding the principle of a zip wire, it has two ends, and I cannot believe anyone could say that the tranquillity of the west bank will not be shattered by landings, transfers and take-offs from that side. “But young people want attractions like this to bring them to the Lake District”. “We need to create these exciting activities to bring more people into the area”. Who says that young people only want this type of activity? How judgemental is that? Of course the thrill of a zip wire is attractive, but that particular thrill could be achieved anywhere. Young people also demonstrate their enthusiasm for walking, climbing, scrambling, cycling, swimming, and even sitting still and letting the peace and the grandeur wash over and soak into them. “The County needs more visitors to support more jobs”. Absolutely, but let’s think where they are going to go. The Lake District National Park Authority wants “initiatives that reduce non-essential travel, especially car based visitors, over Dunmail Raise between North and Central/South East areas”. There are other areas in Cumbria, not necessarily in the Lake District, that are crying out for visitor spend, so why aren’t we encouraging projects that will spread visitors over the whole County? Cumbria Tourism’s own figures confirm that the majority of visitors come to the County because of the scenery and landscape and the atmospheric characteristics of the area, using words such as “peaceful”, “relaxing” and “beautiful”. The estimates for new jobs, visitors and income for the zip wires are dwarfed by the existing (and increasing) 62,000, 45 million and £2.72 billion. Do we put this success and that of many other small businesses dependent on visitors, at risk for the sake of one company’s development and to satisfy the thrill-seeking of a relatively small number of visitors with plenty of money? Image by Colin Barnes For landscape reasons and National Park planning rules, this development should not go ahead. It would conflict with National Park purposes and planning policy, is inappropriate and would destroy landscape character, visual amenity and tranquillity. Cumbria County Council recommend refusal because “it is likely to increase the risk and danger and inconvenience to all users of the highway”, a risk they describe as “severe”. This is not a case of environmentalist luddites against anything new. Zip wires are not a bad thing, but they can be erected in the wrong place. Across Thirlmere is one of these wrong places. The Lake District has a world famous reputation. It now recognised a World Heritage Site. We have an excellent example of how a landscape can provide huge benefits, spiritual and economic, to residents, businesses and visitors. Head versus heart decision? In this case, there is no conflict, and this proposed development should be refused.