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London’s Olympic Park could soon be home to a 440-metre zipline.
A proposal to run a cable from the ArcelorMittal Orbit Tower has been submitted as a visitor attraction tower hamlets And Newham Councils,
ArcelorMittal Orbit is a 114.5 meter tall observation tower, offering views London landmarks from the Stratford siteBuilt to commemorate the London 2012 Olympics, it is Britain’s largest piece of public art and the world’s longest tunnel slide.
It was designed by Turner Prize-winning artist Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond, an engineer.
Zip World, the operator of Orbit Tower, is seeking planning permission from both councils to install the new “unique and exhilarating experience”. The adventure brand took over operations in September 2024, promising to transform it into “the first European adventure of its kind”.
Zip World currently runs attractions at four locations in Windermere, Manchester and North Wales, including Penrhyn Quarry, home of the world’s fastest zipline.
according to stratford ProposalThe Switchback Zipline will launch from a platform on the existing ArcelorMittal Orbit structure in Newham, crossing to a newly built return tower in Tower Hamlets.
The proposed return tower is 38.7 meters tall with zipline cables installed at the top. Thrill seekers will ride a zipline up to the tower before returning to the launch platform.
Zip World estimates that an additional 60,000 visitors will visit the attraction each year once it is installed.
Planning officers have recommended that the proposed development be “granted planning permission subject to conditions”.
Conditions include that the zipline only operates between 9 am and 8 pm, and there must be no more than 60 riders per hour at a speed of 60 km/h.
Tower Hamlets Council is set to consider the proposal at its strategic development committee meeting on October 22.
This isn’t the only new ride opening in the UK.
UK’s longest and highest toboggan ride is set to open in scotland next summer. £1.2 million track planned in Cairngork The mountain range aims to “introduce something new” to the Scottish Highlands.
The mountain toboggan will run for 1.2 km and reach 715 meters above sea level at its highest point – the longest and highest point of its kind. UK,
Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd will build the track within existing infrastructure at the base of the mountain.
According to the Cairngorm Mountain Resort website, the “lightweight aluminium” toboggan track will utilize existing ski tow and mountain bike trails.
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