Smiler Rollercoaster To Re-Open At Alton Towers

Alton Towers has confirmed that its controversial Smiler ride which has been dogged by safety and technical problems since 2013, will re-open on 19 March.

The Staffordshire theme park confirmed in a series of tweets that the rollercoaster would be open to visitors in time for the 2016 season.

It (Other OTC: ITGL - news) comes after the Health and Safety Executive revealed the park's owner Merlin Entertainments (LSE: MERL.L - news) is to be prosecuted over last year's crash that seriously injured five people.

That news was revealed hours after Merlin Entertainments declared their profits had remained flat after visitor numbers collapsed in the wake of the crash on 2 June.

The park was shut for four days and some rides suspended at other attractions following the incident which culminated in a restructuring at the park, potentially resulting in 190 job losses.

Two guests each lost a leg in the aftermath of the accident in 2015 when a carriage containing riders collided with an empty one on The Smiler.

The crash was the subject of an immediate HSE investigation and was blamed by Merlin on human error.

"This was a serious incident with life-changing consequences for five people," the HSE said.

The company, which also owns attractions such as Legoland, Madame Tussauds and the London Eye.is due to appear at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on 22 April.