...or deciding it isn't in their best interests?
If someone could lose their job or livelihood it might be more difficult to speak out.
I suspect businesses in Keswick and Ambleside would stand to benefit massively from this development, I wonder what kind of influence that can have?
I don't think there will be that many people who will come to the Lakes only because of the zip wires. They will already be coming here anyway and will have a go on it if they have the money or inclination. It will take about 30 minutes to an hour perhaps to go across a lake twice? Nobody is going to travel a long way
just for that. If the zip wire is all they have come for they may just do a day visit or stay just one night? The responses I've read on facebook from businesses have been against the proposals, they think it might put people off coming to the Lakes. I don't know if there has been a poll of businesses' views?
Going through all the design and planning process is not cheep and can be very time consuming.
While it seems a no-brianer to most of us that it should be rejected my worry is that they wouldn't be doing it unless they thought they were in with a good chance.
This is a quote from Chris W on Grough responses to Terry Abrahams resignation, it would seem some of it is from United Utilities.
"I applaud Terry's stance. He has protected his personal integrity - a good example to others.
I also wonder how the zip wire being funded. A quick look at the socio-economics assessment implies United Utilities are putting up a lot of money for refurb of the area (
http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/swiftlg/MediaTemp/68365-265734.pdf). Great, it's land surrounding Thirlmere and needs protection and management.
That said, why does it appear that UU are involved in funding the zip wire? Naively, why is money I've paid through my water bills being used to fund a zip wire I would have to pay to use? I'd expect every UU customer should get at least one free ride a year! Grough team, I think you should look into this further"