26 Sep 2014
UK's £2bn Paramount theme park 'needs investment in public transport system'
BY Tom Anstey
A new report on Paramount’s £2bn (US$3.2bn, €2.5bn) theme park development in Kent, UK, has said that more investment will be needed in public transport, with greater use of the River Thames.
The theme park resort, which gained fast-track development approval earlier this year, is to be built on the Swanscombe Peninsula, near Dartford.
The report by the local authority Gravesham Borough Council – which sent nine district council bosses to the US in May to research Florida’s theme parks – said: “Conditions here differ significantly from those in Florida and a multi-modal transport solution, with the operation of the theme park, in particular, designed to control the volume of the peak hour car-based trips on the local and trunk road network, will be essential.
“Investment in public transport and making use of the River Thames to encourage alternatives to the private car and service the development will be important,
“It is important to ensure that the River Thames is itself considered a key asset that has a role to play not only in terms of transport, but also as a complementary leisure resource.”
Opening in 2018, the Paramount-branded theme park and resort will be built on an 872 acre site, making it one of the largest regeneration projects in Europe. When built, it will become one of the four largest theme parks in the world.
Plans include an indoor waterpark, theatres, music venues, attractions, restaurants, and hotel developments.
London Resort Company Holdings – the company behind the development – has also signed an agreement with Paramount Pictures for exclusive UK licensing. It is currently in negotiations with a range of major British brands to sign further licensing agreements.
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