1.2km zip wire fleetwith pike

[Dynamo Dan]

Paulo and IanDarkPeak pretty much summed it up for me also. I think the VF could of been acceptable as it was a fixed route, therefore limited damage to the flora etc. I'd even, eventually come down as a 'worried' yes for the zip-wire. But the guy (who I have to say I never met...although I possibly did when buying my dads headstone!!!) didn't come across at all well on the film, and after the 2008 OMM and his comments, I wasn't a fan. Also, while I'm here, I tend to think orange for the sign frontage is a little bit off up there!!.....And I'm a bit off JB too, I'm a confirmed Dr Alice Roberts afficinado now! Surely she can do no wrong!!

Ahhhhhh Dr Alice...............

[RhosgadMath]

I thought he came across as a proper character, ambitious and risky way of life who seemingly cared quite a bit for all those who worked for him. Quite a predictable PC like response from many on here.

[No map, no compass]

Had he got permission for the VF or the cave walk i could have lived with it, my original concern was for the number of extra people going up the path and who would pay for the upkeep or worse if they were to be driven up.

Again I'd be interested in how they planned to get the large number of Heavy Zip trollies back up the hill. You couldn't walk up the hill with them? They would need to be either driven up again very noisy or winched up which meant he would need to make a ski lift style cable way??

Get your facts right, they were never talking zip trollies (whatever they are), just climbing harnesses, a couple of slings, crabs and a some rollers. Anyone doing the zip would have to go up the via ferrata. No one was going to be bused up to the top.

As for Alice Roberts, Jesus she makes me want to puke!

[AndyH]

Ahhhhhh Dr Alice...............

I hear you there Dynamo Man, she's mighty fine in all ways, oh yeh.

[Hank]

I thought he came across as a proper character, ambitious and risky way of life who seemingly cared quite a bit for all those who worked for him. Quite a predictable PC like response from many on here.

Equally predictable "he was a proper character" response! He obviously had some admirable qualities in his passion and drive for his goals, but all that OMM stuff painted him as an ignorant scare-monger in my eyes, massively exaggerating the the issue simply to paint himself as some kind of knight in shining armour who stepped in to the save the day. His stupid, aggressive behaviour in the film speaks for itself.

[IanDarkpeak]

Get your facts right, they were never talking zip trollies (whatever they are), just climbing harnesses, a couple of slings, crabs and a some rollers. Anyone doing the zip would have to go up the via ferrata. No one was going to be bused up to the top.

never said they were going to be bused to the top only IF they were, I didn't know, still don't(given the VF was put in place with out permission)??


I spoke to some one who runs Zipps all over the country, It's his living and he has to meet H&S regulations etc

Given the length and speed of the the Honister you could not use a standard pulley, a minimum would be the Tandom Speed for cables up to 12mm. I don't know what diameter they were planning to use but for a commercial operation doing regular zips you would need some thing much more substantial, the company I have done work with imports theres from America.

The double trolley pulley would/Should be the one to use, again I don't know but the people in the know I have spoke to have said it should be similar to this one which I tried to go on earlier this year but it was booked up for the day, I believe Alan Lucker as been on it, it was on his blog.....

Now this is a Zip wire....( with relevant double trolley)

It doesn't matter really as it's not going to happen

[nikalas]

Ahhhhhh Dr Alice...............

Impeccable taste

[Bob]

The problem with TV programmes like this is that the producers often feel that they have to introduce a story line along with tricks like "false jeopardy" to keep the viewers' interest. Essentially you only get to see the side of someone that the producers wish to portray so as to tell "the story". This programme didn't seem too bad - though there is no way of telling what the actual characters are/were like unless you have personal knowledge of the individuals involved, at which point you have your own bias anyway.

Mark Weir did come across as very "driven" and the FOTL as somewhat naive and idealistic which I have to admit does reinforce my personal views about both parties. Natural England were also portrayed as being somewhat myopic in their view of the damage to the areas surrounding the VF. Slightly more worryingly the LDSPB (or at least the planning officers) were cast as intent on promoting the "Disneyification" of the Lake District, or as it was described: "Making it the adventure capital of the UK".

I've no doubt that Mark Weir reinvigorated the Honister mine and made it a success but making the zipwire application sound as if the business depended on it being passed didn't seem to ring true, it may not expand to the same extent but it doesn't mean automatic failure. Of course if the mine now closes, the blame can be laid at the door of the LDSPB for refusing the application. I realise that tourism is the basis of the economy in the Lakes but it shouldn't mean that it should get its way all the time.

I get the feeling (not from the programme) that this application was being supported by those who didn't necessarily like Mr Weir as they had similar plans for "adventure tourism" but didn't want to be the first to poke their heads above the parapet.

Finally, the BBC seem to have a thing about Honister Mines - they went their for a lump of slate for James May's man-lab programme and they often film there.

[Dynamo Dan]

I thought the programme was very good. Seeing Mark Weir and his son half way through was very sad. I hope no one has lost their job as a result of his death and the failure of the application.

[andy k]

all that OMM stuff painted him as an ignorant scare-monger in my eyes, massively exaggerating the the issue simply to paint himself as some kind of knight in shining armour who stepped in to the save the day.

Ignorant, not at all
(the rest - yes)

His mountains into a morgue comment was followed with:
It just goes to show that what we need is a mountain survival training centre

To be based......
well, where do you think ? And run by whom, do you think ?