Published at 11:54, Thursday, 25 October 2012

This will be the third time plans for the zip wire have gone before members of the Lake District National Park.

All the old arguments for and against will be run through once more.

The National Park is a national treasure, but it should not be kept in aspic. It is there for all to enjoy in different ways.

The hills and fells should not be restricted to those who only want to walk or drive through them.

We have to offer visitors a variety of experiences and explore different ways of bringing more money into the local economy.

We have to attract all sorts of visitors of all kinds of ages who visit for different reasons.

This is an industrial area and the slide will only infringe on a small part of the landscape around Honister.

Of course the Lakes must be protected for future generations and should not be compromised.

But this time there is something different and there is a strong and compelling reason for the scheme to be granted.

This time, the plans have been amended so that the wire starts at a lower point and is not as long.

Honister has also suggested granting a temporary licence to allow them to operate the slide for a trial 18 month period and then allow a review of its impact.

We hope it is third time lucky for Honister slate mine, even if it is just for a trial period.

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk