In the on-going saga between Alton Towers Resort and the Roper family, Alton Towers are back in court over yet more noise complaints about the theme park. The resort had a noise abatement order placed upon them back in October 2005 but local residents Stephen and Suzanne Roper are taking further legal action against the park.
These recent complaints from the couple state that the park are breaching their order through public address systems, rides and screaming guests. However, many other local residents have said that they have not noticed any increase in noise levels from the resort.
The Sentinel reports…
Stephen and Suzanne Roper, who live in Farley next to the theme park, are taking legal action against the firm, claiming it has breached a noise abatement order. They say Alton Towers has exceeded limits which were set in October 2005 after the couple won a private prosecution against the theme park.
A court hearing on the issue will take place on Monday, September 15, at North Staffordshire Magistrates’ Court.
Farley resident Richard Goodall, aged 68, said: “The noise level still is a nuisance. It is hard to measure these sorts of things. You don’t really know what it is like unless you are actually subjected to it.”
The September 15 hearing will be the latest in an ongoing legal battle between the couple and the resort, which employs about 1,800 people.
In 2004, the couple mounted a private prosecution case against Tussaud’s Theme Parks, the resort’s parent company which is now part of the Merlin Entertainments Group, in a bid to cut noise levels.They won the case and the theme park was hit with a £5,000 fine and a noise abatement order.
Tussaud’s appealed against the decision and succeeded in getting the fine reduced to £3,500.
Its permissible noise levels were also raised from 3.2 to 4 decibels.
The Ropers have lived in Farley since 1969, when Alton Towers was a country estate.
Their anger has been focused on noise from the public address system, rides, firework displays and screaming thrill-seekers.
Janet Gibson, who owns the Bulls Head Inn in Alton, was surprised to hear about the latest court proceedings.
She said: “I thought it was all sorted. Every case the Ropers win does have an effect on trade. It was a shame to see the fireworks stop. I haven’t noticed any increase in noise.”
Jane Pickles, the landlady at Ye Olde Star Inn in Cotton, said: “This sort of thing can affect trade. I used to live right next to Mr Roper and I never heard any noise.”
Stella Heritage, who lives in Alton, said: “I can see Mr Roper’s point, he lives right next to the theme park. However, it is a theme park, so it is difficult to know what to do.”
Alton Parish Council chairman, Tony Moult, said: “I have never received any complaints from residents about noise. Our main concern has always been the volume of traffic. But the Ropers must have incurred massive court costs over the years which suggests the noise does annoy them.”
An Alton Towers spokesman said: “We believe there is no basis for this prosecution. Alton Towers is and has been operating within the noise limits.
“Our lawyers have advised us that there are preliminary legal and technical issues which should be addressed before there is any trial.”
Mr and Mrs Roper said they would prefer not to comment until a decision is made.
I must say that I’m very disappointed that this issue has been raised yet again and I very much doubt Alton Towers have breached their noise level restriction. Afterall, there is nothing of significant noise been added to the resort since the abatement order was placed upon them.
On a lighter note, if this Alton Bypass happens to go ahead then lets hope that it happens to go right through The Roper’s house as these two are nothing but a pain to the park.