Council anger at new Alton Towers ride
PLANS for a new £12 million ride to replace the Corkscrew at Alton Towers have sparked opposition from parish councillors.
The new attraction billed as the "world's first roller-coaster of its kind", and due to open in 2010, is to be built in the park's Ug Land.
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The application for the replacement roller-coaster, erection of station buildings and associated landscaping works has been made to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.
But Alton parish councillors have opposed the application.
Chairman Tony Moult said: "It will encroach into the woodland and be nearer to the village. Otherwise they would not have to put a planning application in."
Head of development at Alton Towers, Mark Kerrigan, said: "We did have a site visit and four of the nine parish councillors came and, of those, three were in favour.
"I would ask them to come and walk the site to see how well we have worked this."
A final decision will be made by the district council's planning applications committee next month.
29 Comments
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by Claire, Oxfordshire
Tuesday, April 21 2009, 6:20AM
“I agree with everyone in favor of supporting alton towers!! Ive spend many days in that park since i was a kid, the bigger faster n scarier the rides they can build the better....if people dont like the noise, dont live next to a theme park!! COME ON TOWERS!!! lets compete with 6Flags!!”
by Philippe Maillard, Walthamstow
Wednesday, January 21 2009, 8:59PM
“Alton Towers is recognised as one of the best Theme Parks at an international level, I just couldn't understand why a few people keep complaining when some customers are coming from as far as Marseille (at least that I know of) to fulfill their passion.
Good luck to the new coaster application.”
by Felicity, Hanford
Saturday, January 17 2009, 11:45AM
“I am quite sad about this. The Corkscrew was the one coaster I actually had the guts to go on! (Tried the Pepsi Max Big One at Blackpool one - I still get flashbacks!)
Still, I applaud any effort to get people into Staffordshire. Couple of days at Alton Towers then down to Trentham for some shopping, nice walk in the gardens (and a nice cup of tea in the new tea rooms!) and then perhaps some clubbing at night.
Lord knows, this city needs fresh blood and new ideas.”
by Anom, Right by Churchills
Saturday, January 17 2009, 10:25AM
“I hope it's an eye sore - that way the chairman of churchills knows what we have to put up with with the new churchills warehouse!!!!”
by Michael Parry, yorkshire
Friday, January 16 2009, 11:59PM
“allthogh i can understand the concerns of some of the local residents, I think Alton Towers are trying to be a responsable member of the community and they seem as though they are trying to be senitive towards the concerns of all, and hope becasue of this they get the support they deserve”
by The Alton Towers PA Tottey, The Winter Hideout
Friday, January 16 2009, 8:37PM
“ROPERS, HOPE YOU ARE HAVEING A GOOD CLOSE SEASON, HAPPY NEW YEAR. SEE YOU AT EASTER, LOUDEST SEASON YET, NEXT SEASON, AND THE ONE AFTER, WELL YOU'LL HAVE THIS LOOK FORWARD TO, SEES YA.”
by Sharon, Cheadle, Staffordshire
Friday, January 16 2009, 7:23PM
“A new ride will bring in more tourists and hence more revenue and jobs for this area. Don't let some short sighted councillors stop these plans. Alton Towers had to take down a ride before as it stuck up above the trees what a load of rubbish that was it blended in well and you had to really look to see it. They get a rough deal and its unfair as they provide lots of jobs for local people. Some people are so narrow minded and yes the Ropers spoiled the firework fun, just a few nights out of the year but the whingers spoiled it. I agree go Alton Towers you seem to have plenty of support here.”
by Stuart, Ipstones
Friday, January 16 2009, 5:46PM
“Go go Alton Towers. I'm just fed up with winging councillors and people who think they are a bit "special" because they live in Alton. Alton Towers brings jobs and money into the area. People like Roper who closed the fireworks should move somewhere else. Preferably next to his own noisy factory. I'll be on the ride day one.”
by kelly, stoke
Friday, January 16 2009, 5:26PM
“i think they should do it.
if i recall correctly wernt the people that were complaining of noise the same people that ran a factory by some houses in tunstall or someplace like that thats really noise and people have complained about them and they ignored the complaints.whats good for one is good for the rest so i hope they get the new ride and i shall be on it when its built.”
by Jane, Meir
Friday, January 16 2009, 5:11PM
“I recently visited Disneyland, L.A, the place is surrounded by houses and local residents embrace the park. Fireworks explode every night at 9.30pm and make Alton Towers' displays sound like a back garden display.
Do they complain? No! Because they have the sense to realise that Disney is bringing money into the area and providing people with much needed jobs.
People of Alton should perhaps take a leaf out of their books...”