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Fastest ride in the world for the Grand Pier?
18th August 2008
A ride that travels hundreds of miles per hour could soon be seen in Weston. A 'dragster' could be installed above the shelters that run down the centre of the Grand Pier if structural engineers give the proposals the go-ahead.
Designers hope the ride would be the fastest theme park attraction in the world, travelling up to 200mph.
It would consist of two carriages, holding one person each, and would run along a 600ft-long electric track and back again. To start with, passengers would step up onto a platform to access the ride but eventually it is hoped the entrance could be incorporated into a new pavilion design.
Pier owners Michelle and Kerry Michael hope the attraction could be a big step towards putting the site back on the map following last month's devastating fire.
Michelle said: "We are currently in discussions with structural engineers to see if the pier can take the new ride.
"If they say go ahead, we hope it will be the fastest thrill ride in the world and could attract people from across the globe.
"Visitors travel from country to country to see these types of things.
"Morgan Nicholas, who designed and helped build the pavilion's karting track, has been in discussion with Kerry about the ride for several months.
"Before the fire, the ride was due to be part of a new plan to be revealed this September.
"No formal planning application will be submitted until the structural engineers have come back to us."
Morgan Nicholas of design company Gravitron, has already come up with features for theme parks across the world, including Alton Towers.
He said: "Because this ride would go above the shelters on the pier it needed to be very different.
"The maximum speed is still under discussion and if the plans get the go-ahead, I would imagine it could take about six months to build.
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