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Big wheel plan for Oxford (From Oxford Mail)
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Big wheel plan for Oxford
6:30am Monday 17th August 2009
Oxford could soon be getting its very own mini version of the London Eye — in a city centre car park.
Great City Attractions (GCA) has applied to set up the 40-metre-high giant wheel in Worcester Street car park.
The idea has been welcomed by community leaders who hope it will boost tourism in the winter.
The application is for November to January, but if the scheme proves a success GCA could apply to keep the observation wheel running for longer.
Max Carlish, a spokesman for Roger Etchells and Co, which is acting on behalf of GCA, said the firm had applied to the city council for planning permission for the big wheel.
He said: “GCA are the global market leaders in the installation of these graceful machines, having previously operated in some of the world’s leading locations.
“These include Belfast, Brisbane, Brussels, Copenhagen, Glasgow, London, Manchester, Paris, Perth, Sheffield, Singapore, Windsor and York, and we are excited at the possibility of adding Oxford to this distinguished list.
“We are confident that, if approved, the wheel will add to the city’s tourism offering and become a welcome addition to the local skyline.”
Mr Carlish added there would be 30 glass-sided, enclosed capsules and a 13-minute ride is expected to cost £6.50 for adults.
Council spokesman Chris Lee said GCA planned to put the wheel in a section of the car park owned by Nuffield College, and added: “One or two items for the running of the wheel might have to be in the main car park, but it will be remain open.”
It is not known how many car parking spaces will be taken up by the wheel.
Susanna Pressel, Labour city councillor for Jericho and Osney, said: “I’m all in favour of this and I think it would be great fun.
“It would be a bit like the London Eye and you would have great views of the city.
“I’m sure this is something that would be appreciated by tourists and people living in Oxford.
“The planning application could be dealt with by planning officers, although it’s an application that councillors on a forthcoming central, south and west area committee might want to consider.
“Eventually, I would like to see a canal basin created at the car park, but that might not happen for some time.”
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Your Say YourOxford
Oxon21, Kidlington says...
9:01am Mon 17 Aug 09
Also that dates mentioned should be the busiest for the city for shopping as it is the lead up to christmas. Taking more parking out of the city will just make the shoppers go elsewhere and make our already stuttering city centre unable to compete.
Dont do it - Listen to the public.
EB, Oxford says...
9:19am Mon 17 Aug 09
rotoboy66, says...
9:37am Mon 17 Aug 09
They have one of these in Weston Super Mare, run by the same company, its just "plonked" on the sea front, no thought, not a feature as such, just a clear money making operation, intrestingly they olny charge £5 for adults...why would Oxford be more?
cottage2day, Oxford says...
9:39am Mon 17 Aug 09
B T, Appleford says...
9:50am Mon 17 Aug 09
Perhaps it could work if the idiots on the council sit on it and go round in circles all the time? - oh! - they do that already?? With Kidlington Airfield being called 'London Oxford Airport' perhaps they might call it the 'Oxford Eye'?
Joe Cooke, Oxford says...
11:26am Mon 17 Aug 09
LadyPenelope, Oxford says...
2:20pm Mon 17 Aug 09
£4 would be more realistic.
maddi, Abingdon says...
3:08pm Mon 17 Aug 09
OR lowering the parking costs in the westgate car park!!!!!!
Andrew:Oxford, Oxford says...
4:20pm Mon 17 Aug 09
LadyPenelope wrote:It's not too bad. Would cost you twice as much for a 13 minute ride in an Oxford Taxi...
£6.50 for a 13 minute ride?? That's a little steep isn't it?? And at least if you climb carfax or st mary's, it's much cheaper and you can view the spires for as long as you like!
£4 would be more realistic.
On a money:minute ratio is about the same as a peak return to London on the train...
What I don't understand is why so many people are prepared to pay so much to look at Macclesfield House.
Andrew:Oxford, Oxford says...
4:21pm Mon 17 Aug 09
maddi wrote:You can easily walk from either the Seacourt or Redbridge Park & Ride to the town centre for nothing. It's often quicker than the bus too.
How about spending money subsidising bus fares from the P&R sites? If I could catch a bus into town for £1 return I would never park in town again.
OR lowering the parking costs in the westgate car park!!!!!!
oxfordstudent, Oxford says...
4:52pm Mon 17 Aug 09
if it arrives i for one will not be riding it and would encourage others to do the same. why do we need such a monstrocity to see the views when there are lovely areas already such as the beautiful mound by oxford castle?!
Terry Chandler, Oxford says...
6:46pm Mon 17 Aug 09
No doubt this snobby council will turn it down though.
bloink@mailinator.com, says...
4:27am Tue 18 Aug 09
Concerned one, Oxford says...
9:58am Tue 18 Aug 09
An artist’s impression of how the wheel would look in Worcester Street
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Sophia, Oxford says...
7:35am Mon 17 Aug 09