Even before a design application is submitted, the two sides are torn apart for battle. As of Tuesday afternoon, more than 6,000 people had signed a petition opposing plans for the future of the Elterwater Quarry in the Langdale Valley, west of Ambleside in Cumbria. It started with a group called the Zip Off Langdale, which calls on people to “save Langdale from a train theme park”. Campaigners said “planned rides include an amusement park train and a ropeway.” They add: “The wheeled train would surround a large area of the site and a quarry cave. We firmly believe that the national park is developing as a theme park “. They say they are locals and claim that Elterwater and Langdale can not cope with extra traffic: “Langdale is the jewel in the crown of the Lake District and its natural beauty, landscapes, traditions and tranquility attract tourists and locals. “It’s not a good place to go for a theme park.” The proposals were written by the owner of the Elterwater Quarry, Burlington Stone, which belongs to the Holker Group. He said he had permission to operate the site at least until 2042, but had decided to reduce the number of quarries from which it was mined. “To ensure that the quarry, its underground caves and voids will remain safe and protected, there is a need for creative and responsible reuse of the site,” he said. “Burlington Stone’s vision is to unlock a sustainable future for the Elterwater Quarry, which celebrates our rich quarry heritage and the history of human endeavor, while bringing life to the natural geological resource.” He offers to work with a company called Zip World, which he says “has a remarkable history of providing fun, activity-based attractions safely and responsibly in the heart of Unesco National Parks and World Heritage Sites.” One of them is Zip World at the Penrhyn Quarry in Snowdonia, home to Velocity 2, the fastest zipline in the world. Subscribe to the First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every morning at 7 p.m. BST The Lake District proposals focus on a Quarry Explorer high-rope route and a “cave sleigh” that “will carry passengers through woodland and recycled quarries, ending up in a fascinating underground section through the impressive caves”. Burlington Stone said the designs would provide “a fun way for visitors to appreciate and enjoy the environment without having to change or change the existing landscape”. The company also said that “the noise and disturbance associated with the quarry activity will stop.” A 2018 plan for a zip-lined attraction in Thirlmere was established after the Department of Defense said it would pose a threat to low-flying aircraft. He also had strong opposition from thousands. In a statement, Burlington Stone said: “No design application has been submitted and exploration work has focused on creating a heritage-based convenience that promotes the history of the shale industry and the natural geology of the Lake District. “Discussions focused on vital issues, such as sustainable transport solutions, significant reduction in quarry traffic, ecology, biodiversity, housing and employment. “The participation of stakeholders so far has been positive and reassuring and we continue to hear the aspirations of many interest groups.”
