HAVE YOUR SAY: Ferris wheel plan for Gloucester
A huge Ferris wheel is set to change Gloucester's skyline this summer.
Plans have been submitted for the historic Docks to gets its own version of the Millennium Wheel.
-
Manchester's Millennium wheel
The application by British Waterways would see the 35m high structure built next to the Victoria Dock.
It would give a bird's eye view of the city from June 5 until August 16 as part of the Tall Ships Festival.
Suzie Mercher, marketing and communications manager for British Waterways, said: "We were looking for ways to attract new visitors.
"With the closing of Merchant's Quay and the reduction of opening hours at the Waterways Museum there has not been much for visitors. The Designer Outlet Centre is opening soon and we wanted to create an exciting and major attraction to draw visitors from there up into the Docks."
The wheel is the same one which was used in Manchester during the Millennium celebrations. It was built in 1989 and has been used across the country.
British Waterways said the attraction would provide visitors with a new view of one of Gloucester's most historic locations.
Paul James, leader of Gloucester City Council said: "The London Eye has been a huge success and it is a great opportunity for Gloucester to have its own version."
Shoppers and office workers welcomed the plans.
Miri Wyndow, 23, said: "I think it would be good but I'm not sure there will be much to see from the top."
Debbie Proud, 45, and her daughter Lauren 17, said they would go on the wheel if it came to Gloucester.
Debbie said: "It sounds like a good idea. It would probably bring more people down to the Docks."
Student Lauren studies at nearby Gloucestershire College.
She said: "I study photography so it would be amazing for me."
A decision on the wheel plan will be made later in the year.
But what do you think? Should a Ferris wheel be installed in Gloucester?
Would it bring a much-needed boost to the city, or would it attract the wrong kind of publicity?
Whatever you view, use the form below to let us know...
53 Comments
View all
by Malcolm X, Future tropical Island of Minchinhampton Common
Thursday, March 05 2009, 12:56AM
“Great idea, you can all take in turns to escape future flooding of the area.
Better still, buy 2, you can then draw up future plans for a huge paddle boat if things get really bad and evacuation is required. Suggest looking into buying large plasic swan visitor attraction with seating for 110,000”
by Deb, Hull
Wednesday, March 04 2009, 10:14AM
“Yep - go for it.”
by clare, gloucester
Monday, March 02 2009, 4:33PM
“To Jan-i read your rant about the docks being a tourist attraction-sorry but if you CHOOSE to live there what do you expect! if you don't like it-move. I wouldn't live there if you paid me. Even years ago it was obvious to anyone with half a brain that the docks development would come to this, so sorry, but stop moaning or move.”
by Victoria, Glos
Monday, March 02 2009, 11:18AM
“Shouldnt the council beespending their money on more important things rather than things we will be charged more for and for kids to vandalise. Waste of time if you ask me”
by Jess, Tewkesbury
Monday, March 02 2009, 7:37AM
“What is there to look at??!”
by Kirsty, Glos
Saturday, February 28 2009, 8:35PM
“I agree with Carrie, Gloucester needs an ICE RINK. The old B&Q building is a perfect location.”
by marcus, ex Gloucester
Saturday, February 28 2009, 9:38AM
“We just built one in Perth.Aust, after the 1st 6 months it becomes a eye sore,as they push up the prices to support the running of it as less people & more seagulls use it.”
by CK, Gloucester
Friday, February 27 2009, 2:46PM
“If it is a view you are after, you can't go far wrong in going to the top of the Cathedral - bit of a hike (ok, lot of a hike) but the view at the top is stunning. Look on the website for opening times - well worth it (and you don't see into other peoples houses)!!”
by Jan, Gloucester Docks
Wednesday, February 25 2009, 8:48PM
“How long ago was this planned? The area where the wheel is due to go was never bricked, just tarmacced over. If planning goes ahead, once on the wheel you will have a great view into the flats, that are built on the barge arm, and from 8am until late evening the people in the flats will have noise and no privacy. Also, the owners of the barges will suffer. It is difficult enough living in the centre of a tourist attraction (eg being woken on a Sunday morning by Morris Men/cannon fire/NWM) - it would go from the sublime to the ridiculous. Also the acoustics of parts of the docks area amplify sound around the HOMES of people living here. The screaming drunks and drug takers that go through the docks at all hours of the day, and especially nights, will not diminish with the arrival of a ferris wheel-who is going to police this and at what cost to both the people that inhabit the docks and the taxpayer?”
by Lee, Cheltenham
Wednesday, February 25 2009, 5:10PM
“The docks are already looking a lot better and since its to be part of a tall ship celebration why isnt the money spent on generally tidying up the rest of the town including the high st ? the docks dont really need a big wheel.... but if the town had a bit of a clean up it may make it all look a bit nicer ( especially with that new shopping development being built too ). I am not a jealous Cheltonian either... before all the ranting starts, I am just someone who thinks that the money could be spent better elsewhere or if they do it and charge people to go on it, maybe the money they make could be put directly into cleaning up other areas of gloucester and not directly into some fatcats pocket !!??”