Wheel fight Docks fairground plan
People living in Gloucester Docks have hit out at plans for a huge Ferris wheel to be put up this summer.
A protest group has been set up in response to the application by British Waterways for the 35m high structure to go up next to the Victoria Dock from June 5 until August 16, every day from 8am to 8pm.
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They say the tourist attraction will ruin the views from their flats in four-storey block The Barge Arm. Residents fear they will be disturbed by noise and think 10 weeks is too long.
Wayne Tuckwell is setting up the group, which has set up its own website and will be putting a petition on the 10 Downing Street website.
He said: “The main concerns are that it’s going to ruin the view from our flats. People will also be able to see right into my flat as it has got big windows.”
The 29-year-old says he is also worried that with more people visiting the area there will be a potential for crime to go up.
He said: “I’m all for trying to increase the economy of the city and county in bringing more people in but I just think this is a bad idea. It’s the wrong way of doing it.
“I would be happy with three to five days tops in a week. We accept there are going to be events going on there. You can accept events which are only for a week end or maybe a little bit longer but not for ten weeks.”
Keith Reade, who owns a cruiser in the docks is supporting the protest group. He said: “People paid a lot of money for those flats. I really do sympathise that someone is going to put that outside their window.
“To have somebody going by your living room window isn’t really on. You have got to make a stand somewhere.”
The planning statement, which can be viewed on the Gloucester City Council website says: “We have taken onboard concerns from residents and have tried to move the proposed wheel as far from the majority of them as possible, taking into account ground conditions and immovable objects such as the Crane mounting.”
The protest group’s website can be viewed at www.fightheferriswheel.co.uk
23 Comments
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by Resident, Gloucester Docks
Thursday, April 23 2009, 8:07PM
“Obviously, there are a lot of people here that would like to see the Ferris Wheel to be installed at the Docks.
I BET you would complain if it was in front of your houses.
We already suffer with all of you when you get here during festivals. The fact that The docks is a tourist attraction means nothing. We pay the price for it in rent every month and we deserve some privacy and enjoy the views.
Last summer with the annoying festivals in front of the Barge Arm, we had to have all the windows closed all day long as the noise was really annoying and we had to boil inside the house.
I AM AGAINST THE FERRIS WHEEL AND WILL DO MY BEST TO SPOIL EVERYBODY's TIME LIKE YOU WILL DO TO US LIVING HERE.”
by James Bibby, Westgate
Wednesday, February 25 2009, 11:55PM
“Being a showman , I have read with interest, that a ferris wheel has got no connection to the docks. Well I have asked for permission to set up my 'Hook a Duck' stall, do you think I will be lucky?”
by Summ Wunn, Stroudie
Wednesday, February 25 2009, 7:36PM
“Regarding the comment from "Paddle wheel" Can someone explain what has a giant ferris wheel to do with boating and docks?
The seaty things are called "Gondolas" hence the connection with boats.
Can I book tickets in advance?”
by annon, glos
Wednesday, February 25 2009, 6:47PM
“the doacks has always been a tourist attraction. The people who bought the flats at the docks should have known this when they purchased them, and now they think they can start a pettition to stop a ferris wheel being put up an spolil it for the tourist let alone the local people. They should consider moveing if they cannot put up with attractions the docks put together”
by Glosboy, Gloucester
Wednesday, February 25 2009, 4:58PM
“I think that the pressure group will lose their fight. I fully expect the ferris wheel to be a welcome addition to the docks this summer.”
by Joe, Gloucester
Wednesday, February 25 2009, 4:23PM
“Flipping 'eck. April Fools Day already?”
by Website for Sore Eyes, Above the Tuckwells
Wednesday, February 25 2009, 3:52PM
“Is the website not a sneaky way of promoting Mr Tuckwell's web design service?
...which is about the only impressive thing about this NIMBY but time-limited campaign.
Come on, King's Square gets a noisy ice rink every Christmas, and there aren't that many compalints about it!”
by Joe, Quedgeley
Wednesday, February 25 2009, 12:55PM
“I guess you guys also complain about the fact you get to see the Fireworks for free every year whilst the rest of us have to pay?”
by JN, Gloucester
Tuesday, February 24 2009, 10:25PM
“As one of the enormouys number of Gloucester residents wh are horrified by the abortion you chose to live in I agree with 'Tree'. iif you can afford to live in that monstrocity you can afford to buy a set of net curtains. For those of us who every day have to observe this carbuncle which has ruined one of the most beautiful architectrual examples of an inland docks from the past we now have no chance or rectifying the situation.”
by Andy, Glos
Tuesday, February 24 2009, 6:52PM
“I cannot understand what all the fuss is about it is for 10 weeks out of 52. If you are that worried about it running for 12hrs a day then go out and enjoy the fun of the fairground, failing that why don't you put all your efforts into to petioning a good cause like ensuring the British Army has the correct equipment to fight the Taliban in Afganistan, or even getting the government to put more money into the failing car industry so no more wokers are pushed out of a job, not a silly childrens ride that is only there for 10 weeks.”