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We have summed up the latest news in a compact timeline for you, so if you need to catch up quickly with what is going on, here is a great place to start! Click on a month to show more. July 200811th July 2008Surveys sent out online to gain market research as to what style and theme of ride would be of interest to visitors. One option Robo Arm, basically a robotic arm like in car factories with a seat in it that throws you around all over. Or a new Roller coaster... "The Roller coaster ride could incorporate a Switch / Tilt mechanism where a section of track the length of the train tips, tilting the train to a 45 degree angle. The train is then released, possibly backwards, and drops underground by its own weight. It is then held at a dead end, from which it is then released forwards, before diving off through a tunnel." Themes considered by the market research include Dark Forest, Creatures, Rock Blaster, Racer and Machines. At this point there was no confirmation of the area to be used or that corkscrew would be leaving the park. http://www.robocoaster.com/content/
14th July 2008Towers Times are asked to remove concept board images from the main site confirming the authenticity of the images. Speculation regarding rumours that universal have an exclusive contract with KUKA (the makers of the Rob arm) preventing this type of ride to be built in any other park.
17th July 2008Information emerges that a company named Aerial was commissioned to develop concepts for 10 innovative rides and attractions across six Merlin brands, which included Alton Towers. The rides concentrate on a new element that responds to human emotions adapting the ride to maximise each riders experience. Source - Park world magazine.
22nd July 2008Rumours centre around the removal of Corkscrew over the closed season 2008/09 meanwhile there are also rumours that the location of SW6 could be on the overflow bus parking just outside Katanga Canyon. http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a95/Ry ... e/plan.jpg Other sites suggested include:
August 200810th August 2008Rumours emerge that a coaster other than Corkscrew could be leaving the park. Oblivion is suggested following concerns regarding noise levels and tunnel maintenance. Speculation now centres on X - Sector as a possible new home for SW6 considering the Black Hole tent is still standing empty.
September 2008Nothing was revealed in September!
October 20082nd October 2008Official confirmation is received that Corkscrew will be leaving the park at the end of the 2008 season. UG Swinger will be relocated to Cred street for the 2009 season leaving Rita Queen of speed at the only ride occupying UG Land. B&M are rumoured to reveal information on a new type of coaster in November. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staf ... 648401.stm
4th October 2008Russell Barnes, Divisional Director at Alton Towers is quoted as saying The park "want to do something dramatic" on the site of Corkscrew. "We want to do something dramatic in this space in a couple of years."
5th October 2008Alton Towers Almanac confirms the ride's codename will be Secret Weapon 6 (SW6) The codenames are well known to fans of the park - Nemesis was SW3, Oblivion was SW4 and Air was most recently SW5. Speculation now centres on the installation of a Vekoma Tilting Mine train coaster similar to Expedition Everest in Disney’s Animal Kingdom park. http://albums.mouseplanet.com/WDWAKEver ... P_meet.jpg
15th October 2008Confirmation that John Wardley is involved with the design for SW6 from a statement on his website “current projects include the creation of major new rides for Thorpe Park for 2009 and Alton Towers for 2010 as well as acting as consultant to Merlin Entertainments for the development of their other attractions.” John Wardley designed many of the attractions at Alton Towers including all of the Secret Weapon projects (Nemesis, Oblivion and Air). http://www.john-wardley.demon.co.uk/
21st October 2008Rumoured new coaster may have two lift hills and could be manufactured by Intamin.
29th October 2008Russell Barnes, Divisional Director of Alton Towers mentions in a radio interview on Radio 5 that Corkscrews replacement will be a “Worlds First”, sparking speculation that the new Coaster could be a B&M prototype.
November 20083rd November 2008Alton Towers Almanac reports that flags marking out the rides layout have been planted in the wooded area behind The Corkscrew.
9th November 2008The Corkscrew makes it’s final run before making way for a new “world first” attraction as quoted by Russell Barnes, Divisional Director of Alton Towers at the Corkscrew farewell event.
10th November 2008The Sentinel reports the budget for SW6 will be £12 million. Russell Barnes, divisional director at Alton Towers Resort, said: "I can't say what it is but it will be something very different." http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/ne ... ticle.html
21st November 2008IAAPA Expo in Orlando finishes and rumours of a big B&M announcement do not come to fruition. Lots of speculation over the relocation of UG Swingers and whether this could be the site for the rumoured Robo Arms attraction.
30th November 2008Vekoma introduce new 4-abreast train designs due to premier on new installations in 2010. The trains come in sit-down and suspended configuration. http://www.vekoma.com/index.php?option= ... 4&Itemid=1
December 20082nd December 2008Staffordshire Moorlands council receive a planning application from Alton Towers Resorts Operations Limited for the installation of a replacement roller coaster, erection of station buildings and associated landscaping works. An accompanying map clearly shows the area for the new coaster over and around the old Corkscrew site. A decision on the application is expected in January 2009. http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u55/ ... tonmap.jpg
21st December 2008Simple plans are posted on the ECC Website (European Coaster Club). The plans seem to show one lift hill, a switchback system and an indoor section. Plans fail to show any “world first” element. http://i39.tinypic.com/30jkytx.png - by Chrïs (TTF Member)
24th December 2008Alton Towers Almanac confirms the drawings of the new attractions layout are genuine after a visit to the planning office. New information comes to light including the fact that the station (Themed as a castle with scaffolding) has two levels (ground floor and first floor), but part of the ride passes below the station at what would be basement level. The lift hill, station and final helix take up the area previously used by Corkscrew. The new attraction will have the same capacity as its predecessor with 1200 people per hour.
January 20093rd January 2009TTF Member Bailey posts pictures of the new attractions plans from the local planning office. They confirm information from ECC and Alton Towers Almanac and also give us an idea of the height of the new coaster. (The files appear to have been removed unfortunately)
9th January 2009Plans for SW6 are uploaded to the Staffordshire planning website for all to view. The station building seems to be large Castle or Hall and has a large cloaked figure above the entrance, the remainder of the building is covered with scaffolding suggesting repair or restoration or discovery of an old building plays a big part in the rides theme. Plans show that some of the Track area will be below ground (2.7 metres) this is thought to be the Helix after the indoor element.
11th January 2009The full planning application and associated files are made available on the Staffordshire Moorlands Planning Portal
26th January 2009Planning application concerns are raised by locals and the planning application is deferred until a site inspection, some residents believe that it encroaches on an old hill fort.
27th January 2009 The BBC Reports that a Staffordshire County Council archaeologist is due to go to Alton Towers next week to inspect what is believed to be an Iron Age hill fort. Alton Towers say the details were included in surveys in its planning application. It added the hill fort was nowhere near the proposed ride.
February 20095th February 2009Planning Applications Committee meeting takes place, documentation suggests that the plans for SW6 should be approved but outlines some other concerns that could be raised. A large proportion of the ride travels in woodland and there could be concerns over the size of the attractions station. The report also outlines some benefits of the new ride over the previous coaster (Corkscrew) such as reduced noise. Environmental Health Officers, Conservation Officers and the Trees & Woodlands Officer have no real objections to the proposed plans.
7th February 2009Staffordshire’s local paper ‘The Sentinel’ reports the release of the SW6 Plans. The paper states that Thirty Nine letters of objection have been submitted and that most of the concerns raised have been about the location of the new coaster in the vicinity of an Iron Age hill fort Opponents have called for a detailed archaeological survey.
9th February 2009 Opinions of locals and visitors are posted in a short video on the ‘Staffordshire Live’ channel of YouTube.
12th February 2009SW6 hit’s a stumbling block on the day the plans were due to be passed. Plans are deferred after residents and Alton and Farley parish councils have lodged objections amid fears over its appearance, noise nuisance and increase in traffic.
13th February 2009The Sentinel reports that Alton Towers are playing down fears that SW6 could interfere with an Iron Age hill fort. “Staffordshire County Council archaeologist has visited the site and does not raise any concerns in relation to Bunbury hill fort.” The paper states that the application is being recommended for approval.
March 20095th March 2009An Addendum to the original committee report is published and concludes that Officers recommend approval of the application subject to additional conditions such as a programme of archaeological work on the site. A final decicion is expected on the 12th March.
6th March 2009The Sentinel reports that SW6 is expected to be given the go ahead. The paper states that Planning officers recommend councillors approve the plans when they meet on Thursday 12th March http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/ne ... ticle.html
12th March 20092010 Rollercoaster Approved!
12th March 2009Staffordshire Moorlands council meeting is available to view online. In the meeting Mark Kerrigan states that the ride will have two trains. This rules out Gerstlauer Euro fighter’s immediately as discussion on the forum turns to who members think the ride manufacturer will be. http://www.staffsmoorlands.public-i.tv/ ... wm&l=en_GB
28th March 2009Large banner sign is erected at the old corkscrew site with sinister artwork and the words “ Yet another fantabulous Alton Towers resort development COMING 2010” http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii15 ... 010071.jpg
29th March 2009 Newspaper reports suggest Brendan Walker who runs Aerial, a design practice specialising in the creation of tailored emotional experiences could be working on Altons 2010 project. His website explains that he was commissioned to create 10 exciting concepts for rides across the Merlin brand and SW6 could be one of them.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2009/m ... lercoaster
30th March 2009 Pictures taken by TTF member Spike show the final stages of the site clearance on the Corkscrew site.
April 200926th April 2009A hole appears on site, along with the very small site office.
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