A new rollercoaster is set to open at Alton Towers – believed to be the first wooden track in the UK for 21 years. The Wicker Man ride will feature a 57.5ft (17.5m) flaming structure, and claimed to be the first rollercoaster to combine wood and fire. …The new £16m rollercoaster is due to open in the spring. Sharing the same name as the 1970s film, the ride will appear to burst into flames as it races through the wicker man structure three times, the theme park said. However, on social media people have been quick to highlight the use of fire on a wooden rollercoaster. …The theme park has also been quick to champion its safety, saying it had undergone “rigorous testing and hundreds of training hours for ride operators”.