Alton Towers has shocked fans by announcing that one of its most popular rollercoasters is “closing” this year.
Nemesis is described as being “one of the most heart-pounding, exciting and exhilarating rides you will ever experience” – but could this be the end of it? Could Nemesis really be no more?
Well, don’t worry too much, as it’s not quite as bad as it initially sounds.
But for the next two years, the Staffordshire theme park’s iconic alien-themed ride, which first opened back 1994, and has been treating thrill seekers to speeds of 50mph around an inverted track of 250 tonnes of tangled steel’ ever since, will officially be closed to the public.
Taking to social media to share the shocking news today, Alton Towers announced that Nemesis will be closing on 6 November, giving fans less than two months to make the most of it.
The brief announcement reads: “By order of the Phalanx. Nemesis is closing. You have until 6th November to ride.
“Please make your way to Alton Towers in an orderly fashion.”
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The closure of the ride comes after a planning application was submitted earlier this year, which requested permission to carry out major maintenance work to the ride.
This includes the replacement of large sections of the track.
Although no timeframe for the completion of works has been released, it’s expected that the newly-refurbished Nemesis will reopen in 2024 to coincide with plans to celebrate Alton Towers’ 30th anniversary.
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Alton Towers announces its popular Nemesis ride is ‘closing’ this year / Credit: Alton Towers
The news that Nemesis isn’t gone for good will no doubt be a massive relief to all the rollercoaster fans who seemed gutted by today’s closure announcement.
Fans of the ride were quick to share their concern, with thousands commenting on the closure, including one who said: “Nooooo that’s my favourite ride, and my dad helped me conquer my fear of rollercoasters on Nemesis.”
“It will be sad to see it go,” another added.
A third shocked fan said: “Noooooooo!!!!! That was my first ‘grown up’ ride way back in ‘94. Loved it then, love it now. Gutted.”
Giving a little more insight into the reasons for the Nemesis closure, Kate McBirnie – Head of Product Excellence at Alton Towers Resort – said: “Nemesis is Europe’s first ever inverted rollercoaster, which has been exciting thrillseekers since 1994.
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“The legendary rollercoaster is loved by thrillseekers across the UK and beyond, and we want to give fans of the ride the opportunity to experience Nemesis in its current form before it closes.”
Nemesis will be closed from 6 November 2022, and all through 2023.
Featured Image – Alton Towers
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Manchester has been named one of the most ‘stressful’ places to drive in the UK
Emily Sergeant
The UK’s most challenging driving locations have been revealed, according to new data… and isn’t good news for Manchester.
No matter whether you’re a new driver or have years of experience behind the wheel, some roads can test even the most confident of motorists.
From congestion and poor road conditions, to limited parking and higher incident rates, it’s fair to say that some areas make driving more stressful.
But which parts of the UK are the hardest to drive in?
Well, in a bid to answer that question, MoneySuperMarket has analysed a whole host of data – such as road infrastructure, road safety, road conditions, vehicle crime concerns, and insurance-related trends – for 58 UK cities, boroughs, and local authorities to create a drivability score and discover the locations that drivers find most stressful.
Manchester has been named one of the most ‘stressful’ places to drive in the UK / Credit: Manchester City Council | pxfuel
Manchester, unfortunately, claimed third place on the list of top 10 most challenging locations for drivers – with an overall drivability score of 25 out of 100.
Other northern cities and towns like Leeds, Preston, Blackpool, Bradford, Wakefield, and Oldham have founded themselves in the top 10 too, meaning the North West is sadly the most-represented area.
Top 10 Most Challenging Locations For Drivers
Croydon
Derby
Manchester
Leeds
Preston
Birmingham
Blackpool
Bradford
Wakefield
Oldham
The findings also reflect some of the concerns drivers experience on the road, with more than a third of motorists (34%) saying they have avoided driving because they were travelling in an unfamiliar area, while almost a third (32%) have chosen not to drive due to heavy traffic or congestion.
Dealing with impatient or aggressive drivers was the most commonly cited source of stress, with almost two-thirds of motorists (65%) saying they find situations such as tailgating and beeping stressful.
“Driving is part of everyday life for millions of people, but our research shows just how much stress and uncertainty it can bring,” commented Alicia Hempsted, who is a Car Insurance Expert at MoneySuperMarket.
“Particularly in areas where there are more incidents recorded, car-related thefts are more common, or where there is heavier traffic or less familiar roads.”
Featured Image – pxfuel
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Channel 4 is looking for Mancs who think they can survive the apocalypse for a new TV series
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Have you always wanted to see how long you’d last in an apocalypse?
Well now’s your chance, as Apocalypse is potentially coming back to Channel 4 for a second series, with producers having put out a nationwide casting call for contestants willing to take part.
The casting call simply reads: “Do you think you have what it takes to survive the end of the world?”
Described as a dystopian series designed to test the creativity, resourcefulness, and resilience of our nation, Apocalypse sees players are pushed out of their comfort zones and put to the ultimate test.
In the series, ordinary people are tasked with surviving for 28 days in an abandoned city – used previously only for the military to practice urban warfare – with no food, running water, electricity or heat.
Produced by The Garden – which is part of ITV Studios – for Channel 4, the show’s creators are now calling on Mancs and people up and down the country with the ‘courage and ingenuity’ to compete, to get in touch and apply for the potential second series.
Does your mate always bang on after watching a post-apocalyptic film that they would’ve done things differently? Or is the news at the moment freaking you out and you want to give the end of the world a bit of a practice run? Either way, sign up, test that plan you’ve built in your head, and see if you’ve really got what it takes.
Applications are now open, and all you need to do is fill in a short application form and one of the production team will get back to you if they would like to proceed. Come on, let’s prove what Mancs are made of.
Emily Sergeant -
21st September 2022 
