Towers says sorry for rumble grumble
THEME park Alton Towers has apologised to villagers following complaints over noise from the Nemesis ride.
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has received a flood of calls from Alton residents, who say the constant rumble has made their lives unbearable over the past two weeks.
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RUMBLINGS: The Nemesis ride at Alton Towers.
Alton Towers said the noise was caused by new tyres on the ride and hope to have resolved the problem by the weekend.
Alton resident Stella Heritage is among the villagers who have made an official complaint to the theme park.
She said: "We live in a stone house and even with all the windows and doors shut, you can hear the noise as though it was coming from the garden.
"Over the past two or three weeks it has been exceptional. It is a real deep rumble.
"We are wondering what is going to happen in the future when the new roller-coaster is built."
An Alton Towers spokesman said: "We are aware that there has been an issue over the noise coming from the Nemesis roller-coaster.
"The ride manufacturers have now visited the site and agree that the cause is the new tyres that we put on as part of our winter maintenance programme, which are made from a harder compound.
"We have changed the wheels on one of the trains, reducing the noise output by over 50 per cent and we are making the changes to the second train.
"We anticipate that this will be completed by the end of the week. We are very sorry that this has been an issue for some of our neighbours."
Sandra Venables, who runs The Malthouse Bed and Breakfast near the park, said: "I was aware of the noise, but it was nothing which was causing us great concern where we are.
"I just thought the wind must have been blowing in the wrong direction."
In 2005, Farley residents Stephen and Suzanne Roper managed to secure a noise abatement notice against Alton Towers after complaining about noise levels from the park.
Apart from shouting and screaming, the Ropers pinpointed noises caused by the operation of rides Oblivion, Air and Nemesis as the worst.
Deputy Moorlands District Council leader, Arthur Forrester, who has cabinet responsibility for the environment, said he has been given an assurance by theme park bosses that problems were being rectified.
He said: "I am told that they have now changed the wheels and tyres over the weekend and that has supposedly reduced the noise.
"I am awaiting the results; the noise has certainly not been acceptable and I am hoping they stick to their promise and put it right."
18 Comments
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by Lady V, weston park
Wednesday, April 22 2009, 9:01AM
“Hahahahahahahaha oh my goodness what a laugh, people of Alton you could be comedians.....ALTON TOWERS ROCKS! ;)”
by david roberts, uttoxeter
Tuesday, April 21 2009, 6:08PM
“why do Alton have to moan all the time they get free tickets and its getting stupid now hotels and other things do well when its open and why live near a theme park if you know its going to be noise and busy? grow up alton”
by Billy Pump, Stoke
Tuesday, April 21 2009, 5:16PM
“I live next to the A500, and I can hear vehicles rumbling past all day every day.
I think i'll have a whinge to see if I can get it moved or shut down.
My heart bleeds for all the wealthy people living in Alton, and i'm devastated that their biggest worry is the noise from a rollercoaster. Perhaps if they had the worries that accompany living in a run down area of a city, they might consider themselves lucky.
The fact is that Alton Towers provides significant employment for many families, brings tourists into the area, and provides enjoyment to millions.”
by Ally, Stoke
Tuesday, April 21 2009, 3:05PM
“How many times are we going to have to hear about this?! Its a theme park, a major tourist attaction which creates hundreds of jobs. Now its the wheels creating the noise, before it was screams! If any noise was really making my life hell no matter how much I loved where I live, I would have to move. Come on now residents, put those free tickets to some use and go and have some fun as you waste too much of your life complaining”
by Paul, Ipstones
Tuesday, April 21 2009, 2:33PM
“Well, here we go again The Alton Towers moaning brigade. They never give up. This attraction brings in literally thousands of visitors a day and in doing so provides much needed jobs in an area where jobs are scarce. I cannot believe Arthur Forrester has nothing better to do with his time than moan about noisy wheels. Towers have gone to great lengths to accommodate the residents. Do other people moan like this when living next to a major visitor attraction. No, only in Alton.”
by Matt, Tunstall
Tuesday, April 21 2009, 1:56PM
“For the amount Alton Towers charges, you'd think they could buy everyone in town ear plugs.”
by linda turnock, stoke-on-trent
Tuesday, April 21 2009, 12:55PM
“right let me just say iam 32 years old and have been goi to aloton towers for year and when people complain abotu the noise it is a load of rubbish becuse when you walk round alton towers to each ride weathers its at the other end of the park or 5 minutes itsself i cant not here any rumble of any kind of any screeming either so where do the residents get it from that they here the rumbling from what a load of old nonsence stop complaining and get a life.”
by Matt, Forsbrook
Tuesday, April 21 2009, 12:33PM
“This is all pathetic! Course the residents that were there before the park had a choice there would have been planning notices and if no one opposed them then your bad!
I'm sure that those owning B&B's in the local area dont mind when the punters are rolling through the door!
Surely there is more pressing issues for the councilors to discuss and if there is not then I could think of a few.
I doubt the residents moan when they get aload of free tickets to sell to people either. If they still dont like it then I have a great Idea it would be nice and peaceful - Move ! To a nice desert Island, then we cannot hear you moan and you cant hear the them park the best of both worlds - Simples
I can't here a thing, well done towers!”
by sarah, hanley
Tuesday, April 21 2009, 12:17PM
“This is a massive tourist attraction. what do you expect.
muppets”
by Thomas Longshaw, Newcastle Staffs
Tuesday, April 21 2009, 12:17PM
“Also what you have got to consider is the tourist part of Alton. Alton Towers may be a pain to the locals, but what they forget is how much Alton Towers is gernerating money for the local area. People from all over the country come to enjoy themselves and perhaps travel into Alton afterwards having a few beers in a local public house.
For god sake stop moannig and look into the positives of having the best Theme Park within the country on your doorstep.
I would love live in Alton, its such a nice area.”