Down with Ribblehead
Sir: I was pleased to see in your column `One hundred years ago' (20/27 December 1986) that the Spectator opposed the plan for the construction of a railway from Windermere to Keswick through the Lake District. There is little doubt, though, that had the line been built and were today proposed for closure by British Rail, the opposition to its demise would be just as vigorous as was that which greeted the original proposal. No doubt the massive viaducts which would have been necessary in this mountainous country would be listed as ancient monuments, and con- cerned conservationists would be assured that these would be preserved even if the line did close.
Lest this seem far-fetched, I would point out that this is what is happening 30 miles away, where the campaign to save the Settle and Carlisle railway from closure meets little opposition. This expensive and under-used transport link disfigures a national park. If it would be wrong to erect a structure such as Ribblehead viaduct, which intrudes upon the spectacular views from Ingleborough and the Pennine Way, surely it is right to demolish it if the opportunity arises, as now it does.
C. A. Williams
40 Shandon Road, London SW4
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