UK rollercoaster that was longest in the world for 10 years will be demolished

A UK rollercoaster that was the longest in the world for 10 years will be demolished as the theme park turns away from adrenaline junkies. 

It remained the longest until 2001, when it was surpassed by the 8,133ft long Steel Dragon roller coaster in Japan. 

The ride has been closed since 2019 and is now set to be dismantled, the Brighton Pier Group PLC, which owns Lightwater Valley, confirmed on Tuesday (January 10). 

When The Ultimate (pictured) opened in 1991, the 107ft tall steel coaster at Lightwater Valley theme park near Ripon, North Yorkshire, was the longest in the world with a length of 7,442ft

It remained the longest until 2001, when it was surpassed by the 8,133ft long Steel Dragon (pictured) roller coaster in Japan

While paying tribute to the ‘nostalgic’ status of the iconic ride, chief executive of the Brighton Pier Group Anne Ackord said the theme park was being re-imagined as a family-friendly venue, rather than appealing to adrenaline junkies as it had done previously.

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 nostaligic 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.

The ride has been closed since 2019 and is now set to be dismantled, the Brighton Pier Group PLC, which owns Lightwater Valley, confirmed on Tuesday (January 10)

While paying tribute to the ‘nostalgic’ status of the iconic ride, chief executive of the Brighton Pier Group Anne Ackord said the theme park was being re-imagined as a family-friendly venue, rather than appealing to adrenaline junkies as it had done previously

There is no information on whether or not the ride would be relocated 

‘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.’

There is no information on whether or not the ride would be relocated.

Lightwater Valley’s decision to turn their theme park into a more family-friendly venture comes nearly four years after a then six-year-old fell from a Twister ride at the park in May 2019.

He fell 15ft to 30ft while his mother was ‘screaming hysterically’, witnesses said at the time. 

The boy had to undergo emergency brain surgery just three months later in August 2019.