Langdale/ Scafell Pike Neolithic Axe Factory Management Project. Interim Report 1990/ 1991

The axe factories around the Langdale Pikes are on an unstable terrain and are vulnerable to even limited amounts of erosion; this coupled with an increasing use of the area by walkers and climbers has meant that many of the sites are under severe threat. In response to the deteriorating condition of the sites, the National Trust in conjunction with the Lancaster University Archaeological Unit set up management programme in 1984, of which the first stage was a complete topographic survey of all the working sites.

This, the second phase of the programme, was planned in consultation with English Heritage, Cumbria County Council and the Lake District Special Planning Board and was jointly funded by English Heritage and the National Trust. It had two main aims: to set up a monitoring programme for all sites and to repair sites on foot-paths which are under the most immediate threat.