Plans for a landmark 35 metre illuminated observation wheel next to Southport’s Marine Lake are set to bring more visitors to our seaside resort.

The wheel, which will be the highest accessible vantage-point near the seafront, will offer long-ranging, wide-vista views to passengers in its series of fully accessible six-person glass pods.

Its LED lighting can be tailored to offer spectacular, eye-catching displays which will be reflected in the lake’s waters after dark.

The giant wheel, which will also offer opportunities for special VIP experiences and be available for private hire and corporate events, has been built-to-order by leisure and attractions expert Norman Wallis, who envisages the structure as a landmark for our town.

The huge structure will be delivered this summer and is set to transform the skyline of Southport with spectacular panoramic views.

The announcement about the town’s new statement structure is part of plans to celebrate the 110th anniversary of Southport Pleasureland’s miniature railway – the world’s oldest constantly running 15-inch gauge railway. Further plans around the miniature railway celebrations will be unveiled soon.

Mr Wallis said: “The wheel is a real show-stopper and I think the town deserves a landmark feature of this calibre and we believe it will be incredibly popular.

“The views will be breath-taking and the observation wheel itself will be able to be clearly seen when approaching the town.

“This fabulous iconic feature will give people yet another reason to stop and admire the sea views - and make a hugely positive addition to Southport’s visitor appeal.”

We had big wheel before. They got rid of it because it was not used much..

Originally Posted by said

We had big wheel before. They got rid of it because it was not used much..

Norman doing something positive for our town. A nut like you has to try to discredit him. What have you done to bring people/ tourist/ local business revenue to the town?? Nothing.

Originally Posted by said

We had big wheel before. They got rid of it because it was not used much..

By we, I guess you mean Norman.

How do you know the reasoning behind him getting rid of it? I doubt very much you have even the smallest clue as to the reasoning behind any of his actions.

Originally Posted by said

We had big wheel before. They got rid of it because it was not used much..

I’m calling bull**** too.
Why would a seemingly successful businessman, invest what I imagine would be a substantial amount of capital into a ride which (according to you) “ They got rid of it because it was not used much..”?
If it wasn’t for Norman Wallis the Pleasureland site would either be a huge car park or another failing shopping centre by now.

Originally Posted by said

We had big wheel before. They got rid of it because it was not used much..

Anything new is a gamble, especially in this day and age, so fingers crossed that Norman has done his sums. One thing for sure, if there is nothing to attract visitors, there won't be any, so full marks for trying something new.

Originally Posted by said

We had big wheel before. They got rid of it because it was not used much..

Who is "we" and who is "they"?

At least on a "nice day" any visitors may be able to view the sea on the horizon.......Any publicity to attract "More"people to the town cannot be seen as being a bad thing.........with Pleasureland,a Ferris Wheel,and the New Market eatery being here,then surely it can only be seen as "Good news" for our resort.

What would bring more people into Southport is better transport links. The only possible cheap and simple enhancement of travel links is the reinstatement of the train service to Ormskirk via the Burscough curves, which would cost very little.

If this was done more shoppers would come in the daytime, more people for an evening out, more of the 14000+ students at Edge Hill University might decide to live in Southport in term time, and so on.........

Originally Posted by stephen2001

What would bring more people into Southport is better transport links. The only possible cheap and simple enhancement of travel links is the reinstatement of the train service to Ormskirk via the Burscough curves, which would cost very little.

If this was done more shoppers would come in the daytime, more people for an evening out, more of the 14000+ students at Edge Hill University might decide to live in Southport in term time, and so on.........

Where would the people be coming from to shop or a night out, would people living in Ormskirk come to Southport when they have direct lines to Preston & Liverpool and Manchester with 1 change?

Judging by the size of carpark at Edge Hill my guess is the vast majority of students drive.

Originally Posted by stephen2001

What would bring more people into Southport is better transport links. The only possible cheap and simple enhancement of travel links is the reinstatement of the train service to Ormskirk via the Burscough curves, which would cost very little.

If this was done more shoppers would come in the daytime, more people for an evening out, more of the 14000+ students at Edge Hill University might decide to live in Southport in term time, and so on.........

You say reinstatement of the service. Has there ever been a train service between Ormskirk and Southport?

Originally Posted by gsgsgs

Judging by the size of carpark at Edge Hill my guess is the vast majority of students drive.

Probably true....However, students have to live more than a set distance away, to be eligible for a carpark pass.

Originally Posted by salus.populi

You say reinstatement of the service. Has there ever been a train service between Ormskirk and Southport?

Not as far back as the mid 60's, when I lived in Ormskirk for a short period....However, I do recall seeing a packed 'Orangeman special' corridor train steaming through, en-route from Liverpool to Southport one July 12th, which must have been going via the Burscough South Curve.

Originally Posted by stephen2001

What would bring more people into Southport is better transport links. The only possible cheap and simple enhancement of travel links is the reinstatement of the train service to Ormskirk via the Burscough curves, which would cost very little.

If this was done more shoppers would come in the daytime, more people for an evening out, more of the 14000+ students at Edge Hill University might decide to live in Southport in term time, and so on.........

Reinstatement of the Burscough Curves is impractical as the line from Ormskirk is single track and would probably be too expensive to justify an upgrade, it would probably put the Preston to Ormskirk line under threat as it is little used and it would take traffic from it. The only reasonable solution would be to extend the Liverpool to Ormskirk service to Preston negating the the need to change at Wigan or Ormskirk and making a proper interchange at Burscough for the two lines, this would generate more rail traffic.

Originally Posted by Alikado

Reinstatement of the Burscough Curves is impractical as the line from Ormskirk is single track and would probably be too expensive to justify an upgrade, it would probably put the Preston to Ormskirk line under threat as it is little used and it would take traffic from it. The only reasonable solution would be to extend the Liverpool to Ormskirk service to Preston negating the the need to change at Wigan or Ormskirk and making a proper interchange at Burscough for the two lines, this would generate more rail traffic.

Why is the single track line from Ormskirk to the Burscough curve a problem? A train takes 4 minutes from Ormskirk to Burscough junction, say 5 minutes to the Burscough curve. So a service from Southport could occupy the single track for 5 minutes, stand at Ormskirk station for 5 minutes, then set off back to Southport taking another 5 minutes to rejoin the Southport line at the Burscough curve. Total time spent on the single track 15 minutes.

There's only one train an hour from Ormskirk to Preston so if we take this as similarly taking 15 minutes to get to Ormskirk from Burscough and come back out again the single track is only occupied for 30 minutes every hour