Brighton Wheel
Brighton Wheel | |
---|---|
Location of the wheel within central Brighton | |
Alternative names | Brighton O; Wheel of Excellence |
General information | |
Status | Ceased operating 8 May 2016;[1] wheel and support structure dismantled later that month |
Type | Ferris wheel |
Address | Dalton's Bastion, Madeira Drive |
Town or city | Brighton |
Country | United Kingdom |
Coordinates | 50°49′09″N 0°08′04″W / 50.8191°N 0.1344°W |
Groundbreaking | August 2011 |
Completed | 21 October 2011 |
Opened | 24 October 2011 |
Cost | £6 million |
Dimensions | |
Diameter | 45 metres (148 ft)[2] |
Design and construction | |
Developer | Paramount Attractions[3] |
Website | |
www.brightonwheel.com |
The Brighton Wheel, also known during its planning and construction phase as the Brighton O
History
The East Cliff, rising eastwards from
Paramount Attractions,
In March 2011, Paramount Attractions stated that they would submit a new application for a wheel of a similar size but with a different design—the proposed wheel near the West Pier would have had no spokes. The company chose a different site as well,
Construction and opening
The wheel was manufactured in Germany and was transported to South Africa in 2010, where it served as a tourist attraction during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.[18][19] It was shipped to England in September 2011,[4] a month after work began on building its foundations on Madeira Drive,[18] at a location known as Dalton's Bastion. Some railings of historic interest had to be taken out; the Regency Society stated in October 2011 that they had asked the council to keep them in good condition and re-erect them after the wheel was dismantled.[4] The railings are part of a Grade II-listed length running along Marine Parade, built in 1880 of moulded cast iron and teak.[20]
Installation began in September 2011, and after a period of testing, it opened to the public on 24 October 2011—the first day of the school half term.[4][18][19] Paramount Attractions stated they hoped to attract 250,000 visitors to the wheel per year during its five-year existence.[18][19]
Specifications
Early proposals included installations of 45 metres (148 ft)[3][14] and 60 metres (200 ft)[12][13] in height. Subsequent conflicting reports credited the attraction as being 45 metres (148 ft),[18] and 50 metres (160 ft) tall.[4] The Brighton Wheel website stated that the wheel was 45 metres (148 ft) in diameter, and [had a maximum height of] 50 metres (160 ft) above sea level.[2]
There were 35 standard gondolas, each able to carry up to six adults and two children, and one VIP gondola able to carry up to four people,[2] giving a maximum capacity of 284 (although the typical ridership at any one time was expected to be 200).[4][18] As demonstrated by its move from South Africa to England, the structure is fully transportable[18] and its operator Paramount Attractions claimed it could be disassembled and removed in two weeks.[16] Commentary was available on the views and buildings visible during the ride.[18] Opening hours were 10:00 am to 11:00 pm all year, and the wheel was lit at night; the extent of the illumination was reduced from that proposed in the planning application, which included lights on the supporting struts and some flashing lights.[4]
Critical reception
About 30 jobs were created by the opening of the Brighton Wheel, and more visitors were expected to be attracted to the city. This was praised by business and the tourist industry in the city, especially in the context of the recession.[18][19] Criticism came from The Regency Society and other conservation groups, concerned at the effect it would have on nearby residential buildings and the East Cliff Conservation Area, within whose boundary it lies.[3] They also stated that large-scale development might be encouraged in the area east of Brighton Pier, because of the precedent being set.[4] After planning permission was granted, some opponents considered appealing at the European Court of Justice, the highest court in the European Union.[17]
References
- ^ a b The Brighton Wheel – thank you and goodnight
- ^ a b c "Ticket Information". Brighton Wheel. 2013. Archived from the original on 30 December 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Brighton O ferris wheel gets green light". BBC News. 27 April 2011. Archived from the original on 29 December 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Brighton Wheel opens for half term". The Regency Society of Brighton and Hove. 2011. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
- ^ a b Antram & Morrice 2008, p. 127.
- ^ Antram & Morrice 2008, pp. 128–129.
- ^ Antram & Morrice 2008, p. 129.
- ^ Antram & Morrice 2008, p. 128.
- ^ "Victory as new owners agree to put back 'Palace' to pier name". The Argus. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
- ^ "East Cliff Conservation Area Study and Enhancement Plan" (PDF). Brighton & Hove City Council (Design & Conservation Department). September 2002. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 September 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
- ^ a b c d Collis 2010, p. 303.
- ^ a b "Setbacks for Brighton O ferris wheel and i360 projects". BBC News. 4 February 2010. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
- ^ a b "Brighton O". VisitBrighton. 2012. Archived from the original on 4 June 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
- ^ a b c Ridgway, Tim (27 March 2011). "£6 million attraction planned for Brighton and Hove". The Argus. Newsquest Media Group. Archived from the original on 14 June 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
- ^ Musgrave 1981, p. 412.
- ^ a b Ridgway, Tim (16 April 2011). "Regency Society register objections to Brighton Wheel". The Argus. Newsquest Media Group. Archived from the original on 14 June 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
- ^ a b Keenan, John (25 August 2011). "Brighton Wheel gets Highway Licence". The Argus. Newsquest Media Group. Archived from the original on 14 June 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Brighton businesses back economic benefits the Brighton Wheel brings to the City" (PDF) (Press release). Murray Media. 10 August 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 April 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Brighton wheel opens despite complaints". BBC News. 24 October 2011. Archived from the original on 24 July 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
- ^ Historic England (2011). "Railings running the length of Marine Parade, Marine Parade (south side), Brighton, Brighton and Hove (1381754)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 29 October 2011.
Bibliography
- Antram, Nicholas; Morrice, Richard (2008). Brighton and Hove. Pevsner Architectural Guides. London: Yale University Press. ISBN 978-0-300-12661-7.
- Collis, Rose (2010). The New Encyclopaedia of Brighton. (based on the original by Tim Carder) (1st ed.). Brighton: Brighton & Hove Libraries. ISBN 978-0-9564664-0-2.
- Musgrave, Clifford (1981). Life in Brighton. Rochester: Rochester Press. ISBN 0-571-09285-3.