Apple of the London Eye (From Evesham Journal)

Apple of the London Eye

11:56am Thursday 2nd July 2009

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A VALE company is doing its bit to ensure that visitors to the London Olympics in 2012 will get the best views of the capital city.

Loco UK, based at the Heath Works, has started work on upgrading the 32, 10 tonne ‘pods’ used by sightseers on the London Eye. The £12.5m, three-year project will be completed in time for the Olympics.

The first pods were removed from the South Bank last week and lowered onto a pontoon before being floated along the Thames to Tilbury Docks in Essex, where a waiting truck then transported them the 183 miles to the Cropthorne workshop.

The upgrading of the pods aims to enhance the customer experience, increase environmental credentials and ‘futureproof’ the landmark for years to come.

Courtney Cooke, spokeswoman for the London Eye, explained that supporting the British manufacturing industry in the current financial climate was one of the reasons for Loco UK being given the job.

She added: “UK Loco were picked due to their track record of delivering excellent work within the Merlin Entertainments Group of which we are part, as well as other rides and attractions for other companies.

“They are also very motivated and committed to delivering the project on time and in budget.”

Rob Barnes, engineering sales manager at UK Loco, said: “We are very pleased to have been awarded the contract for the refurbishment of the London Eye.

“Having worked with Merlin Entertainments on other projects, this contract will ensure the consistent and continual growth of UK Loco as one of the world leaders in bespoke engineering and scenic products for the theme and leisure industry.”

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “This investment is fantastic news and underlines the commitment there is to ensuring the capital will be at its best and ready to welcome record numbers of visitors when we host the 2012 games.”

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