FRESH details have been revealed around a new Big Wheel at Adventure Island - touted as Southend’s answer to the London Eye - as residents insist it will help boost the city’s profile. 

The Big Wheel, alongside a fearsome drop ride, will be built at the entrance to Adventure Island, replacing the former go kart track which was removed in April this year. 

Bosses have now formally asked  Southend Council for its opinion on the new attractions, with documents revealing that the Big Wheel will be 36 metres tall, and the “Drop Tower” will stand at 38.2 metres. 

Tessa Thowney, 73, a Southend resident, said: “I personally think it would be great to have attractions like this for the city of Southend.

“It would boost our visitors and investors into the area, and something I would love to have.

“I think anything that ups the profile of Southend is great news.

“Yes, it could potentially be bigger, but I love my Southend, and get fed up with all the negativity, especially when there are ideas to try and improve it.

It is one of the best things that the city of Southend needs.”

The attraction - which will have 26 carriages - was originally pitched as Southend’s answer to the London Eye. However the documents reveal it will be significantly smaller than the capital’s attraction. 

In comparison, the London Eye is 135m in height - nearly four times as tall - and has 32 capsules. Brighton’s i360 attraction on the seafront is 137 metres tall. 

However, this hasn’t dampened excitement. 

Labour councillor Matt Dent said: “I definitely think it will benefit Southend, as adding another world-class attraction to our seafront can really only benefit the city. I think it will invite more people down and into Southend again.

“In terms of size, I mean for me I think we won’t know how to feel about that until we see it in the flesh, that will be a true reflection of it, and how it fits in with everything else, and I will be waiting to see that really.”

The application states: “The Drop Tower will give visitors a panoramic view of Southend, including important assets of the Grade II Listed Pier, Southend beach, Clifftown Conservation Area, the Thames Estuary, and the town centre”.

The attractions will also see rides including Pharaohs Fury, Crooked House and Jumping Jolly Rodger relocated elsewhere in the park.