HYPERIA

PROJECT

We were instructed by Thorpe Park Resort to support its proposed redevelopment of ‘Old Town’ to provide a new roller coaster with associated buildings, structures, landscaping and incidental works. The new rollercoaster proposed was to be the UK’s ‘Tallest, Fastest and Most Weightless Coaster’, rising up to 236ft in height with a track length of over 995m and speeds exceeding 80mph.

APPROACH

We worked with the project team to develop a layout that responded to the needs of the Resort in terms of the levels of car and cycle parking required to support the proposals.

We subsequently built upon our experience of similar schemes at other Merlin attractions across the country to develop the transport evidence base required to determine any potential impact.

Initially, we prepared a Scoping Note to inform pre-application discussions that we held with the Highway Authority during which the scope and extent of the information required to support the application was agreed.

We subsequently prepared a Transport Statement to support the planning application which demonstrated that the proposals would not result in a significant increase in additional trips to the Resort.

OUTCOME

Our Transport Statement concluded that Hyperia was consistent with relevant land use and transport planning policy and that there were no highways and/ or transport related reasons for the refusal of the planning application. The application was subsequently granted planning permission and the coaster opened to the public in 2024.