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Millennium Wheel
Background
London's skyline changes forever
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In the summer of 1999 the picture postcard scenes of Big Ben, the
Houses of Parliament and the River Thames have changed dramatically.
A huge new structure was constructed in the middle
of the River Thames. |
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Huge lifting cranes from Holland, more used to working
on oil rig structures in the North Sea, appeared in the heart of
London. |
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The Millennium Wheel; now called the
"London Eye" ; the world's biggest Ferris wheel was being
constructed, on it side, in the middle of the River Thames |
| It was lifted into the vertical after several delays. This is a massive civil engineering
project with time constraints to get it open for New Years Eve. |
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It is the fourth largest structure in London.
Taller is Canary Wharf in Docklands; the " NatWest" Tower and
the BT Tower. |
| It is taller than the Big Ben clock-tower and taller
than St. Paul's Cathedral.
TIts 32 French-made
passenger-carrying capsules (each taking up to 25 people) will give
tourists spectacular 25-mile views across the London skyline.
Visitors get a 30-minute ride on the giant wheel, which is
expected to attract two million visitors in its first year. |
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Millennium Wheel - London Eye News |
| The London Eye opens daily
except on Christmas Day (25 December) and during its brief annual maintenance
period in January |
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