Lake District zip line faces bumpy ride

Thrill-seekers could slide from top of Fleetwith Pike

Plans to install a high-altitude zip wire on one of the Lake District’s most picturesque fells have threatened to cause a split in local opinion.

Businessman Mark Weir, owner of the Honister slate mine, has proposed the building of a cable that would allow thrill-seekers to slide from the top of Fleetwith Pike directly back down to the mine’s visitor centre.

The scheme has the support of tourist authorities in the region who have said that they hope to turn the Lake District into the UK’s adventure sports capital.

The mile-long zip ride would follow the path of an old cable car system that was used to transport slate in the early part of last century and would allow climbers to return from the 2,126ft Pike with considerably less effort than it takes to get up it.

At the moment the mine organises climbs of the Pike and has installed the country’s only Via Ferrata, an Italian mountaineering system that uses cables, ladders and clips to help less experienced climbers reach the top.

However the plans have come under fire from some Lake District residents who fear that the beauty of the National Park may be compromised by the scheme.

Dr. Malcolm Petyt, the access officer of the Lake District Ramblers' Association, told local paper The Westmoreland Gazette that  “A national park is not just a national playground and you have to consider carefully what activities are appropriate in that setting.”

But despite the opposition, many other residents have welcomed the idea, claiming that the wire will help create jobs and attract more visitors.