The Ropers’ New Plight for Alton Towers Noise Reduction

In a battle that has been ongoing since 2002, Stephen and Suzanne Roper have received fresh hope for their claim of injunction and compensation in relation in relation to the level of noise that can be heard from outside Alton Towers Theme Park. Their claim was thrown out back in January 2011 but a more senior judge has since given the couple fresh hope. Mr Justice Hickinbottom adjourned the matter to allow for the the management team at Alton Towers to prepare their counter-case for when it returns to court.

Hickinbottom said: ‘the costs of this claim are very considerable. By adjourning today’s appeal, those costs can only be increased. Richard Buxton, solicitor for the claimants, has indicated that if this appeal is unsuccessful there will be grave financial difficulties for the claimants.’

Mr and Mrs Roper now claim that in January the Judge’s decision was “draconian and disproportionate”, and are asking the High Court to re-activate it.

The couple first moved to adjoining village Farley in 1968 – over a decade before the first major ride “Corkscrew” opened in 1980.

Richard Buxton (the claimant’s solicitors) said : “The ultimate aim of this case is for Alton Towers to comply with their original planning permission, that noise was not to be heard outside the park, and to take care of their neighbours, which it presently is not”.

If successful Stephen and Suzanne stand to gain financial compensation from 1998 until now, and the park may have to close or relocate some of it’s attractions.

Alton Tower’s response was: “As far as we are concerned, the claim was struck out in January.”