I AM very surprised to learn of a proposed scheme to bring cable cars to the Malvern Hills.

My first point would be to the business consortium behind such a move: if they wish to increase tourism then they exercise a double-edged sword in the matter, as people such as myself will look elsewhere for recreation.

Cable cars are the thin edge of the wedge. One is sure that cafes, litter and theme parks will follow in their wake – and in the train of the often blinkered business world view that sees the countryside as merely something to exploit.

Further, I would urge this business consortium to look at the matter on their own terms. We have in London a recent installed initiative at Greenwich with cable cars set up by the Emirates Airlines, and approved and encouraged by Boris Johnston, the London Mayor. However, only just last month Londoners found out it is losing £50,000 a week.

As a matter of fact, over recent history around the world many are the cable car infrastructures that rust in place, or did so for many years.

One such was a very early cable car scheme from North Brighton to the South Downs which lay rusting for much of the interwar years after a period of commercial use.

This latter refutes one argument I saw recently in the Gazette, which said that if the cable car scheme was unsuccessful it would simply be a matter of taking the structure down.

I am afraid not. History has shown that many commercial enterprises, where they find their initiatives unsuccessful, simply abandon them quickly and irresponsibly. In such a case the Malverns could be landed with an eyesore for many years.

I do urge those in political authority in Malvern to act wisely and take such arguments into account.

The Malvern Hills are quintessentially English, and unspoilt. This is why many travel to walk there, and to be refreshed by the fresh air, good water and fine views available in its reaches.

Long may the Malverns remain as they are.

Clive Critchley

London