Thorpe Park have now received full planning consent for their 2012 Roller Coaster, and have confirmed that construction is due to start in May. The full Press Release is below.

THORPE PARK is delighted to announce that on Wednesday 30th March 2011, the Runnymede Borough Council granted full planning consent for the development of the Park's seventh rollercoaster, with construction due to commence in May 2011. Considered by many as the 'Rolls Royce' of the rollercoaster industry, Swiss manufacturer, Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M); has been commissioned to build the 127ft high coaster that is due to open in spring 2012. The ride, known as a Wing Rider, is a significant overall investment of £20m, and will feature the unique seating arrangement where guests are positioned either side of the track with nothing below or above them, leaving them to feel vulnerable and exposed..heightening the thrill. Project named LC12, the ride will be located on one of the new islands next to the Park's iconic rollercoaster, Stealth, and will take on a THORPE PARK twist through 4 extreme inversions as riders are dragged on a death-defying flight into apocalyptic devastation. With some of the theme elements, including crashed aircrafts, having already drawn criticism from the British Airline and Pilot Association (BALPA) who branded it 'tasteless' due to the Park's proximity to Heathrow, Mike Vallis, Divisional Director at THORPE PARK, comments: "We're absolutely ecstatic with the decision as we're incredibly excited about the new ride. It is something that cannot be found anywhere else in the country and the exceptional theme elements will enhance the experience. The whole project has been heavily researched and the results showed unequivocal support for the theme of 'urban devastation'. This new rollercoaster is the first investment of our Medium Term Development plans that were also granted by the Council yesterday and marks a significant stage in moving THORPE PARK towards a short break destination, and ultimately a resort positioning with a hotel proposal also in development."

This is definately a topic for us to fully explore, and we at Go Merlin, as with other Fan Sites, intend to give you the inside track on construction, with informed debate. Join in the debate on our forum.