A popular rollercoaster in North Yorkshire that was once known as the longest in the world is set to be taken down owners have confirmed.
The Ultimate at Lightwater Valley theme park near Ripon is a 107ft tall steel rollercoaster and was a massive 7,442ft in length making it the longest in the world when it opened back in 1991.
It help the accolade for ten years when it was dethroned back in 2002 by the Steel Dragon rollercoaster in Japan at 8,133ft. The roller coaster, it has been announced, will be getting dismantled.
Lightwater Valley is owned by Brighton Pier Group PLC, and the group confirmed on Tuesday that The Ultimate, which has been closed since 2019, will be removed from the park.
It’s an end of an era for the popular nostalgic ride that we at The Yorkshireman have enjoyed on several occasions over the years.
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Chief Executive of Brighton Pier Group Ann Ackord said in a statement: “We have devoted much time and effort considering the future of The Ultimate. The ride has been out of service for some years now and the process of assessing the viability of bringing it back into use was a long one.
“We are mindful of its nostalgic status and that many of our visitors have fond memories of riding the Ultimate Coaster.
“Nevertheless, given both the investment required to bring it up to acceptable standards of safety and the re-imagining of Lightwater Valley as a family-orientated Adventure Park, we have decided to close The Ultimate permanently and remove it from the Park.”
Adding: “We look forward to welcoming everyone to the new-look Lightwater Valley as it develops and evolves into the north of England’s number one destination for family adventures.”
Whether or not it will be relocated elsewhere is yet to be said – does anyone reckon they’ve got room for it in their gardens?
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Feature Image Credit: Lightwater Valley
