3.1.3.4 Glacial Landscapes in the UK - Lake District Cast Study Flashcards
Location of Lake District:
NW England
When did the Lake District become a National Park?
1951
What created the Lake District’s landscape?
- mountains carved by giant glaciers during Ice Age creating jagged peaks and wide valleys
- some people think it’s England’s best scenery
Conflicts with quarrying:
- pollution of land and rivers therefore destroys habitats
- spoils the landscapes so less tourists will visit
- noise pollution created by both process and transport
Conflicts with tourism:
- too many tourists can drop litter and erode footpaths as they don’t stay on footpaths so scare sheep, trample on crops, leave gates open
- conflict exists with farmers as land is developed for tourism such as gifts and coffee shops instead of being used for farming
- increase in house prices as people have ‘holiday homes’ which makes properties too expensive for locals
Conflicts with farming:
- grazing sheep remove vegetation from area
- causes conflicts as conservationists would like environment to be more natural
- conflict exists with tourists over access to farm sites
Conflicts with forestry:
- harvesting trees means the chopping down of forests which can destroy habitats
- conflict can also occur with conservationists as coniferous forests don’t support as many species as woodland areas
Conflicts with military training:
- UK’s mountainous terrain provides an excellent training ground for RAF pilots
- some walkers object to how jet engine noise spoils the tranquility of upland areas
Conflict of wind turbines in the Lake District:
- impact on local economy with fewer tourists staying in hotels and visiting cafes and pubs
- some people think it may spoil the natural landscape
- house prices may fall if views are spoilt by wind turbines
What is Kirkstone Pass?
one of Lake Districts most remote and beautiful valleys
When were wind turbines put up at Kirkstone Pass and how much did it cost?
- National Park Authority granted permission for 3 16m wind turbines in 2011
- project completed in April 2012 cost of £150,000
Opportunities from putting up wind turbines at Kirkstone Pass, Lake District:
- building of wind turbines → provides employment → increase in disposable income → multiplier effect → more revenue
- provides power to Kirkstone Pass Inn → which had relied on diesel generators for heat and light
- source of renewable energy
- local groups e.g. ‘Friends of the Lake District’ supported the scheme
- ‘green power’ good for the environment
- secured future of pub and jobs of its employees
Challenges from putting up wind turbines at Kirkstone Pass, Lake District:
- fewer people stay at the valley because of noise pollution
- National Park - windturbines disrupt natural environment
- short-term jobs involved in construction of wind turbines had to be considered after its construction ended
Who put forward the idea for a zip-wire in Glenridding, Lake District and when?
2014 - Windmere Based Co. - ‘Treetop Trek’ put forward proposal to construct 4 parallel 1 mile long zip-wires above Glenridding in Patterdale
Where would the zip-wire run from in Glenridding?
- zip-wire would run from disused mine on land owned by Lake District National Park Authority and end in a field in Glenridding
Conflict with Tree-top Trek in putting up the zip-wire:
- need to balance the need to conserve whilst securing vibrant communities and enhancing local economy
- improve activities available for visitors
Conflict with Policy Officer, ‘Friends of the Lake District’ in Tree-top Trek putting up the zip-wire:
- strong local opposition
- pleased Tree-Top trek has listened to strong local opposition and is not putting up the zip wire
Conflict with Steamboat Captain (leader of opposing side to zip-wire) about Tree-top Trek putting up the zip-wire:
- conflict between preserving natural beauty and heritage of site and becoming more commercial
- local opposition → likely to drive away many visitors who come to enjoy the peace and tranquility
- already have range of outdoor facilities
Physical reasons people may want to visit the Lake District:
- Lakes e.g. Windmere and Ullswater offer water sports, cruises and fishing
- Adventure activities - abseiling, gorge walking and rock climbing
- Mountain landscapes with peaks like Helvellyn and Scaffel = popular with tourists and bikers
Historical and cultural reasons people may want to visit the Lake District:
- Home of Beatrix Potter (author of Peter Rabbit) - National Trust Site
- Landscape inspired writers and poets e.g. William Wordsworth
- Scenic towns and villages - Ambleside and Grasmere = popular with tourists
Advantages of tourism in the Lake District:
- bridge North-South divide
- good for local economy - increased revenue (multiplier effect)
- jobs created
- businesses thrive - more money spent on businesses
Disadvantages of tourism in the Lake District:
- path erosion
- traffic congestion - increased pollution
- litter
Each year how many people visit the lake district and how many people live there?
- Each year, 15.8 million tourists visit the Lake District
- There are only 40,000 people living there
What % of visitors arrive by car to the Lake District and what does this cause?
- Over 89% visitors arrive by car
- Roads are narrow and winding and congestion is a major issue
What does tourism provide to locals of the Lake District and what are the drawbacks of this?
- Provides jobs for local people BUT these jobs are mostly seasonal, poorly paid and unreliable
- Young people can be attracted to move away to urban areas for better job prospects causing rural depopulation
What sort of families choose to stay in the Lake District and what does this help to maintain?
- However, young families choose to stay in the area, which maintains other essential services such as schools and hospitals
How do tourists create conflict in the Lake District?
Gates in fields are often left open causing conflicts between farmers and locals
What environmental impacts do water sports cause in the Lake District?
Water sports cause erosion of lake shores and there can be conflicts of interests between different lake users
What are the main environmental impacts of tourism in the Lake District?
- Large numbers of hikers cause footpath erosion, which is expensive to repair e.g. in Keswick the Catbells main footpath has led to severe erosion
- The main tourist (‘honeypot’) sites and footpaths show signs of overcrowding – footpath erosion, litter, damage to grass verges by cars
- Pollution (oil, fumes) from vehicles and boats can damage ecosystems eg in Lake Windermere
- Walkers can damage farmland by trampling crops or leaving litter; dogs can disturb sheep and cattle
How much money did tourists spend in 2022 in the Lake District and what does this support?
- In 2022, tourists spent £1.48 million in the Lake District
- This supports hotels, shops and restaurants
How many locals work in shops, hotels and other tourist services?
Over 16,000 locals work in shops, hotels and other tourist services
What new businesses in the Lake District can provide jobs for people?
New businesses like adventure tourism (Go Ape etc.) provide jobs for local people
What can slow down business communication and deliveries in the Lake District?
Traffic congestion can slow down business communications and delay deliveries etc.
What are the house prices like in the Lake District and what % of property is used for holiday homes or holiday rentals?
- House process are high (average house price over £350k in Grasmere) – 20% property is second homes or holiday rentals
- This prices local people out of the housing market and can encourage them to move away
What is foot path erosion?
Footpath erosion is a serious threat to the mountain environment and consequently to the tourist industry
How does footpath erosion happen?
Walking is the most popular activity for visitors to the Lake District and fifteen million pairs of feet are very damaging to the footpaths particularly on the high fells
How has footpath erosion been managed in the Lake District?
- The ‘Upland path landscape restoration project’ has successfully repaired paths using local materials, and has helped to re-plant native plants
- ‘Fix the Fells’ maintain and repair mountain paths – they are supported by the National Trust. Local stones and sheep fleece are used to created stable, well-drained surfaces for footpaths
How is traffic congestion being managed in the Lake District by Go Lakes Travel and how much does the initiative cost?
- The Go Lakes Travel programme is a £6.9 million initiative, funded by the Department of Transport, and being delivered in partnership by Cumbria County Council, the Lake District National Park Authority and Cumbria Tourism
- Between 2011 and 2015 it aimed to generate a step-change in how visitors travel to and around the Central and Southern Lake District, enabling them to make greater use of sustainable modes of travel
What are the key objectives of Go Lakes Travel for reducing traffic congestion in the Lake District?
- Improving public transport services and traffic management to tackle congestion and reduce delays
- Creating a network of pay-as-you-go car and cycle hire fleets
- Developing safe, continuous networks for walking, cycling and wheelchair use
- Making paying for, and changing between different modes of travel easier, through integrated ticketing and discounts for those arriving by public transport
- Targeted marketing and information designed to change visitors’ travel behaviour to/from and around the Lakes
- Ensure that, as far as possible, local residents and communities benefit from the programme
How is traffic congestion being managed in the Lake District?
- Transport hubs (e.g. Ambleside) help to create an interchange between parking, buses, ferries, cycling and walking - this helps to ease congestion elsewhere
- encourages use of public transport and so reduces number of cars used - reduces CO2 emissions and effect on environment
- Park-and-Ride schemes such as the ‘Honister Rambler’ have been expanded for tourists
- Several dual-carriageways have been built in order to improve access
- Traffic calming measures, such as speed bumps, have been introduced in villages
