A £12.5m investment should ensure The London Eye will be free of major maintenance works for up to 20 years.

Merlin Entertainments Group, which owns The London Eye, has announced a £12.5 million investment for the top London attraction to ensure it is more environmentally friendly. 

The London Eye, which opened in 2000, is the UK’s number one paid-for attraction and has already welcomed over 33 million visitors. This latest investment is the biggest in the history of the iconic Thames experience.

Each of the 32 capsules will be removed and ferried down the Thames to Silverton in London’s Docklands, and then taken to a workshop in Worcester to undergo an upgrade. It is hoped that this will improve the functionality, capabilities and longevity of the attraction, and ultimately enhance the customer experience. 

David Sharpe, Divisional Director of London Midway Attractions at Merlin said: “This investment is a clear demonstration of Merlin Entertainments’ commitment to constantly investing in upgrading our attractions, and to delivering the best possible experience to visitors.

“Merlin believes that investment is more important than ever in the current economic climate when both local and international visitors to attractions like the London Eye are looking for real value for their leisure pound.”

The planned programme of renovation is due to start this summer and complete in time for the London Olympics in 2012.

Merlin Entertainments Group operates many of the world’s top attractions including the Madame Tussauds brand, The Dungeons, LEGOLAND and SEA LIFE.