E-mails 

Sent: 26 June 2006 13:31

To: iambuying@stairwaytoheaven.me.uk

Subject: walk don't work

Thanks for Walk don't walk info.

Just a few comments on idea of stairlift/granite path:

The visualisation of `zig zag' path. People tend to take direct route and would probably go straight up (you can see this in the countless `self made' paths across grass areas/parks etc etc). Some days there is a lot of human traffic going up to Haytor. Path would have to be far wider than depicted to accommodate them all. Wouldn't it be better to have a set of `sculptural bollards'/images carved into stone/low level standing stones bordering the area to/from Haytor - then it will be much more `sensitive' and interesting than a granite path. These stones/set of `images' would/might encourage people to stay to path by giving them a visual route/sculpture trail that would be far more in keeping with the landscape and might keep them going from one `sculpture' to the next, rather than a solid man made utilitarian line driving through it.

Stair lift: I know that `access' is a modern buzz word/concept. The cost of would be that the dignity of the Tor might/would get lost, and then, we as humans lose dignity too. There are so few places in this little island where humans are  secondary, and I think it's important that at times humans are indeed secondary. It's important to have places which remind us of our limitations and our humility, and we gladly/willingly submit to them. There is a kind of `spirituality' that comes with that kind of contact with Nature, and so few times and places where that's possible. The world should not all become a theme park for our amusement.

Both granite path and stair lift contain humans in a `transport system', which could mean you never need to `touch' Dartmoor, or at least that's the message!

Stair lift would also rise big Health and Safety issues - high winds/lift breaking down. Might need some serious PL Insurance.

You might find this out of keeping with someone who wants to place strange arty features in a landscape. There is of course a big difference between temporary and permanent artworks. Well.........it's just that Dartmoor is a bit special! So really it needs a lot of thinking about, about what would be gained and what would be lost. In that respect, the questionnaire at the back of the `Dartmoor is mine' seems to suggest that no such thinking is happening. Besides that, I don't want Dartmoor to be mine!
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Doney
Sent: 03 July 2006 12:31
To: iambuying@stairwaytoheaven.me.uk
Subject: <kein Betreff>

Dear Sir / Madam,

I am writing to urge you to withdraw your application for a stairlift at Haytor Rocks, although I do support the idea of a pathway to the foot of the rocks. As someone who has helped to push a severley disabled secondary school student in his wheelchair around Dartmoor on a 25km Duke of Edinburgh expedition, I have a full understanding of the issues surrounding accessibility to the National Park. I do however likewise know from my own experience that there are a great deal of other places on Dartmoor which can be enjoyed by disabled people, and therefore deem it unnecessary to change the outer appearance of Haytor Rocks and incur the ongoing associated costs of such a project. Surely, money could be better invested in building suitable paths all ov er the moor, rather than at just this one spot? I think your efforts in this area would be met by much more support.

Best regards,

Richard Doney

-----Original Message-----
From: ian simpson
Sent: 03 July 2006 12:37
To: iambuying@stairwaytoheaven.me.uk
Subject:  

just because it can be done ,does not mean it should be done

get a sense of proprotion

ian

-----Original Message-----
From: geoff mead
Sent: 03 July 2006 13:14
To: iambuying@stairwaytoheaven.me.uk
Subject: Stairlift on Haytor and access to the countryside

I am afraid I am whole-heartedly against any project to install equipment to improve access to natural features such as Haytor.

While I have considerable sympathy for those whose disabilities make it hard for them to access areas, the solution is not to bring the level of mobility required down to the lowest level as this results in a massive loss of amenity for those who are able bodied.

The recently completed funicular railway project on  Cairngorm is a case in point though the argument was largely economic in that case. Despite the strong arguments by the environmentalists and walking/mountaineering fraternity, that project went ahead and is a massive eyesore as well as being likely to be cited when other similar projects are planned in the future (the foot-in-the-door effect).

How does one draw a line when ability is concerned? Should I expect facilities to be constructed to enable me to stand on top of mountains previously scalable only by talented mountaineers? There is an argument for this and indeed it happens in many places where one is able to purchase a helicopter ride onto high glaciers. However the noise and intrusion degrade the experience of those who choose to ascend on foot (and have the ability to do so) and I would prefer such activities not to take place.

Regards

Geoff Mead
 

-----Original Message-----
From: martin kocsis
Sent: 03 July 2006 15:48
To: iambuying@stairwaytoheaven.me.uk
Subject: haytor 

hi,

having read through your "dartmoor is mine" leaflet i feel that feed back is necessary.

interesting email address...i am buying? i think this is what the internet community knows as a 'troll'...ie not at all serious or real, just someone's little joke. however, if it turns out to be real, then here's a considered response.

firstly, the title is rather grandiose. dartmoor is no more yours than it is mine. you (or whoever 'mine' refers to) do not have any particular claim on the land. it sounds rather arrogant to declare that you have a 'right' to it...you do not!

the path to the tor has been badly 'thought out'. straight lines are not natural and so they clash with the natural landscape in a way that is nothing but detrimental. a little forethought would have produced a path that blends into the landscape.

the results from your access survey simply don't make any sense. level access? physical access? interpretative access? what do these responses mean? how many respondees did you get? it all sounds a bit wierd...a better, simpler question would have been "do you think that there should be more access to haytor for disabled people? yes, no or don't know"  february is an odd time to conduct a survey. try june or july at the weekend!

your stairlift. i appreciate that these days, everyone believes that they have a 'right' to have the same as everyone else, and that is seen as criminal and unforgiveable to 'descriminate' against someone because they are disbaled in some way. unfortunately this "i know my human rights" attitude is the very thing that holds such people back.

the whole idea is ridiculous. one of my friends is now a paraplegic as a result of a paragliding accident. he knows that there are limitations to his life. i showed him this leaflet and his response is unprintable! suffice to say that creating further damage to an already beleagured countryside is not the way forward. how many disbaled outdoor enthusiasts have you asked, out of interest? this is a non starter that deserves all the ridicule it gets.

if someone is disabled they have to face the simple fact that there will be things they are unable to do. this is not 'evil', and this is not 'despicable', it's just life!

cheers now

martin

ps please feel free to respond to my feedback, if you are serious.
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Tony Blair
Sent: 03 July 2006 16:24
To: iambuying@stairwaytoheaven.me.uk
Subject: stairway

"We hear a lot about the importance of equal access to the

countryside," he said.

And so we do

"This planning application is designed to test the National Park's commitment to that.

Really?

"I have a father with polio. Why should he have to sit in the car park?"

He doesn't, just take him to literally BILLIONS of other locations on the planet he can access, or if he is that hell bent on getting to the top of a lump of rock sling a rope round his waist and pull hard.

In my humble opinion you are a fucking dickbrain and no better than the quarrying conglomerates ripping the national parks to bits for profit.

-----Original Message-----
From: Buttoneer
Sent: 04 July 2006 10:29
To: iambuying@stairwaytoheaven.me.uk
Subject: Haytor Rock

Hi there,

I heard about your proposed project to install a chairlift to the top of Haytor Rock on Palm 105.5 FM and would like to say what a wonderful idea it is.

But why stop there? Maybe one could be installed on Ben Nevis. It could run from the bottom of the mountain to the very peak. Another, even bigger challange would be to install another one on Mount Everest. Or what about the Pyramids? A smaller chairlift could carry people to the very top of each one.

Ayers Rock in Australia. You could fit one to that icon of Australian natural history and paint it red in order to blend it in to its surroundings, similar to the grey paint on your proposed Haytor Rock chairlift!

The ultimate challange however, would not only benefit your target section of the public, but also NASA. A chairlift to the Moon! It would cut out the need of all those tiresome and potentially dangerous rockets.

When I heard your comments on radio, I thought it was April 1st. I've never heard such nonsense!
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Lynne
Sent: 04 July 2006 14:01
To: iambuying@stairwaytoheaven.me.uk
Subject: stairway to everest??

I'd like to walk to everest base camp - age,knees and ankles prevent me from doing that - I can get to grips with that - why cant you and the people you represent do like wise - use your time,money and imagination in a more sensible way - if you are not able bodied get a grip and get on with doing somrthing you can manage.

Aside from all that - how dare you presume to deface a beautiful part of our Dartmoor.

Yours

In dispair of common sense
 

-----Original Message-----
From: R SHAW
Sent: 06 August 2006 21:47
To: iambuying@stairwaytoheaven.me.uk
Subject: Haytor

hello, i admire your enthusiam for promoting inclusion in the environment, and as someone who works with and loves people with learning dissabilities and mulitiple disabilities, i feel i have a valid view.

i am born and bred in Bovey Tracey, and now live in Brixham, and we are never short o beautiful and inspiring places to visit, with all levels of mobility.

Haytor is alreadyscarred beyond repair, due to mans footprints. the countryside unwritten rule is o take only ,memories and leave only footprints.

To install what you are proposingf would make access easier for te minority, but would compromise the habitat and biodiversity of Dartmoor, and i am sure does not fi in with the Biodiversity Action Plan.

I have a n imensely strong spiritual linc to Haytor, and feel that by encouraging  this would compromise the conservation of the area, and take away the raw aura of the place. common guys, everyone i have mentioned this to, has said that this is just going too far.

Yours sinceerly B. Shaw.

Public Consultation at Dartington College of Art from 3rd – 21st July 2006

Comment Board