THE Skyflyer in Rhyl has been removed from its site on the town’s seafront, amid fears that the Zip World attraction will not return.
After strong winds last week caused the airship to come down, it has been taken away from its base, next to the town’s Pavilion Theatre.
But after one resident claimed that “workmen were dismantling the cable system” at the site as the Skyflyer was being removed, it is unknown when or if it will return to Rhyl.
A Zip World spokesperson said: “Preparations are currently taking place to safely remove the aerostat from the Skyflyer site.
“We appreciate that this is disappointing and want to thank the local community for their understanding and co-operation. We will provide a further update when we can.”
READ MORE:
Skyflyer to be removed from Rhyl site after winds caused it to deflate
Zip World’s Skyflyer in Rhyl brought down as heavy winds deflate it
On Tuesday afternoon (September 19) at about 4.30pm, a Rhyl resident said the Skyflyer said the aerostat “all of a sudden just collapsed into itself”.
The following day, Zip World posted an update to say that it will be removed from the site, in the latest setback from the attraction which is still yet to open to the public.
Despite several opening dates having been set, the Skyflyer encountered numerous delays in getting off the ground; last month, residents spotted a tear in the airship after hearing a “loud bang”.
It had previously been due to open last summer, and then in March of this year.
Zip World re-inflated the Skyflyer in late June, and had been running tests on the attraction since then.
Should it eventually open, the Skyflyer will take passengers 400ft in the air to enjoy panoramic views of the coast of North Wales and beyond.
On a clear day, passengers on the Skyflyer will be able to see all the way to Liverpool and the Wirral, including the peaks of Moel Famau and Snowdonia.
It takes three minutes to fully ascend, and the ride is accessible to wheelchair users, people with other disability needs, people of all ages, and dogs.
The £2.5million project involves a 32-metre inflated balloon that takes 6,750 cubic metres of high-grade helium to inflate.
And its viewing platform, which is attached below the envelope, can carry up to 28 passengers at a time with a total payload of 2,500kg.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel