Attraction Source Forum

If you live within I would suggest a mile or any more of Alton Towers, your windows literally shake and if you go outside, the ground shakes - Stephen Rope

Mr Justice Hickinbottom adjourned the matter to give the Alton Towers management a chance to prepare for the case when it comes back to court.

However, in doing so he said he did it 'with a heavy heart' bearing in mind the escalating costs of the proceedings.

He continued: "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."

Stephen and Suzanne Roper, owners of the company Churchill China, are once again seeking compensation from Alton Towers for noise disturbances, which the couple claim have affected them at their Farley residence.

The Ropers' legal battles with the park began in 2002, with one notable product being the noise abatement order which the couple managed to secure after lenghty proceedings in 2007. However, their persistent claim for an injuction and compensation was, again, thrown out by the High Court in January of this year, a decision which the couple described as "Draconian and disproportionate".

However, a more senior judge, Mr Justice Hickinbottom, has renewed the couple's hope, adjourning the case to give Alton Towers' management time to prepare for the case's return the courtroom. This was a move taken with reluctance on his part, however, and with escalating legal costs, the Ropers will be footing a hefty bill in the event of an unsuccessful appeal.

In the unfortunate event of this appeal being successful, the Ropers' injuction claim would result in Alton Towers both having to pay damages for the noise since 1998, and also having to close or relocate certain attractions, in order to end the "misery" which Mr Roper believes is afflicting "many others in Farley and Alton".

TowersTimes will be bringing you all the latest on this legal case as it progresses, and the issue can be discussed on our popular discussion forums!

Quoting back in 2004 their argument was..

If you live within I would suggest a mile or any more of Alton Towers, your windows literally shake and if you go outside, the ground shakes - Stephen Rope

Strange that, i've never felt Alton Towers shake, wonder what they make up this time
The thirteen wraith's keep knocking on their door?
Is their any point, if you wanted to get into the papers at least do it without bringing country's biggest theme park into it