Alton Towers announces it's closing Nemesis ride this year
Daisy Phillipson
Featured Image Credit: Greg Balfour Evans/Nigel Spooner/Alamy Stock Photo
Alton Towers has announced it's closing one of its most popular rides until 2024.
According to planning documents submitted earlier this year, the famous theme park applied for major maintenance work to be carried out on the rollercoaster in order to increase its life span.
The ride in question is Nemesis, which races passengers through the rocks and rivers of the park's Forbidden Valley at 50mph with a 3.5 G-force.
Alton Towers confirmed the ride won't be closing down until 6 November - so there are several weeks left for visitors to make the most of it until then.
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Taking to Twitter to announce the news, the park wrote: "By order of the Phalanx, Nemesis is closing. You have until November 6 to ride.
"Please make your way to Alton Towers Resort in an orderly fashion."
Dozens of people have taken to the comments section, with some questioning what 'Phalanx' means.
In response to the speculation, one user said: "Maybe the name of the ride to replace Nemesis."
However, others were on hand to point out that Nemesis isn't being replaced, and is just having a bit of a makeover.
"Nothing is replacing Nemesis, it’s having refurbishments which will last all year next year, will reopen in 2024," said another Twitter user.
"The Phalanx is part of Nemesis’ theme, a secret agency which is trying to tame the Nemesis monster."
Another wrote: "I bet 90% of the people who are going to Alton towers think both Duel and Nemesis are closed forever, when in actuality they are both going through refurbishments!"
Alton Towers confirmed the ride will be back in 2024 too with an 'exciting revamp'.
Though details of the revamp are being 'kept under wraps' for now, a rundown of the proposed work was included in the planning documents.
The list includes a replacement of part of the coaster track and supports, as well as the strengthening of footers in limited locations, among other measures.
The report goes on to say: "In addition to the works ensuring safety standards are maintained while keeping within the existing overall design, an additional benefit is that the coaster track will be sand filled, which will reduce noise levels to the benefit of the site and local area."
Speaking about the ride, Kate McBirnie, Head of Product Excellence at Alton Towers Resort, said: "Nemesis is Europe’s first ever inverted rollercoaster, which has been exciting thrill-seekers since 1994.
"The legendary rollercoaster is loved by thrill-seekers across the UK and beyond, and we want to give fans of the ride the opportunity to experience Nemesis in its current form before it closes on November 6."