20 February 2023 , 15:27
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A mysterious new ride is being built at Alton Towers.
Last week a "highly secretive" new project at the Staffordshire park was given the go-ahead by councillors.
Bosses at the theme park, which is the UK's second most popular in terms of yearly visits, are remaining tight lipped about the new attraction, Stoke Sentinel reports.
They did have share a few details of the project - referred to simply as the 'new ride' in documents - with town planners for it to be given the green light.
We know that the ride will cost a whopping £12.5million to get going, will be painted dark green and will be inside.
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The structure will be approximately 70m long and 50m wide, and there will also be a gift shop.
The ride will join Nemesis at the park (Alton Towers)The main bulk of the building will be 20m tall, and a queue to reach the attraction will be through existing woodland.
It is highly likely the new ride will be whizzing thrill seekers along tracks, as the words 'new coaster' and 'new rollercoaster' are mentioned in planning documents.
Alton Towers boss Francis Jackson spoke at a meeting with planners at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council last week.
He said the development was crucial to the park’s recovery from the financial hit caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Alton Towers is the UK’s most popular and largest theme park, it is therefore an important generator of tourism - particularly in the Staffordshire area - and we are a major local employer," the theme park boss said.
“It is vital that Alton Towers refreshes its offer in order to remain competitive and continue to attract visitors to allow for continued investment in the estate.
“Ongoing investment in attractions is even more important against the backdrop of the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Councillors overwhelmingly back the proposals, despite admitting that they are in the dark about the attraction.
The ride will cost £12.5million (Bloomberg via Getty Images)Cllr Ben Emery told the meeting: “None of us know what’s going on in there, because it’s highly secretive.
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“I think the landscaping will hide it, and we’ve already got some conifers growing in that area.
“You won’t see hardly any of it, only the very top.
“Alton Towers have consistently delivered good, impressive, exciting rides that our children and ourselves have loved for many years.”
The new attraction will be located in the south west corner of the resort, which is currently used for storage and isn’t open to the public.