‘So long, legend!’ One of North Yorkshire’s most iconic rollercoasters is to be dismantled

It is famous in Yorkshire – and throughout the world among thrill seekers.

But The Ultimate is no more.

Thousands of visitors to Lightwater Valley have enjoyed the The Ultimate rollercoaster since it opened in 1991.

But now the owners of the theme park near Ripon, the Brighton Pier Group Ltd, has said the ride will never rattle round the tracks again.

It never reopened after the Covid lockdown, and now it is to be dismantled.

In a statement, the Brighton Pier Group said: “We have devoted much time and effort considering the future of The Ultimate.

“The ride has been out of service for some years now and the process of assessing the viability of bringing it back into use was a long one.

“We are mindful of its nostaligic status and that many of our visitors have fond memories of riding the Ultimate Coaster.

“Nevertheless, given both the investment required to bring it up to acceptable standards of safety and the re-imagining of Lightwater Valley as a family-orientated adventure park, we have decided to close The Ultimate permanently and remove it from the park.

“We look forward to welcoming everyone to the new-look Lightwater Valley as it develops and evolves into the north of England’s number one destination for family adventures.”

Coaster fans on the Theme Park Insanity Facebook page were dismayed by the news. “Absolute one of a kind, I can’t believe it’s going,” one said.

“This is sad news. Europe’s Longest Coaster is no longer rideable. But that’s life. It never is fair,” another added.

And the admins simply said: “So long you absolute legend!”