Opposition to Whitby Zip Wire Plans

Tuesday, 11 May 2021 07:00

By Matthew Pells with additional reporting from Carl Gavaghan, Local Democracy Reporter

Plans to put two 300 meter zip wires in Whitby have met with dismay from town councillors.

The two zip lines which would run from the Whitby Pavilion car park to the lighthouse on the West Pier have been suggested by a company called Big Bang Promotions, they've been in talks with Scarborough Borough Council.

Whitby Town Council have been asked to submit their thought on the plans, Councillor Gareth Jackson thinks it's a bad idea.

The riders would travel over the beach and the sea before arriving at a landing area in front of the lighthouse on the West Pier.

Whitby Town Council clerk, Micheal King, told councillors that initial discussions in the town haven't been favourable.

The company behind the idea, Barnsley based Big Bang Promotions have confirmed to This is the Coast that they are in discussions with Scarborough Borough Council but say things are at a "very early stage"

The company describe themselves as:

"a leader in events, activities and sports, and are experts in delivering experiential marketing through adventure activities and event-based roadshows."

They have previously delivered stunts for TV show Top Gear, including bungee jumping a car off a dam.

In documents sent to the council, seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the company stated:

“The proposal would be to create a ‘pop up’ destination attraction for the summer of 2021 between the dates of 23 June and 5 September.

“The zip wire would create a local attraction which would attract visitors into the area, create local jobs, provide educational workshops, and boost the local visitor economy.

“The zip wire would be two lines so participants can zip alongside each other and would be an approx. length of 340 meters.”

Two possible launch points in the Pavilion car park are being proposed.

The riders would travel over the beach and the sea before arriving at a landing area “the size of six parking bays” in front of the lighthouse on the West Pier.