In response to a Facebook post on their fanpage, Alton Towers have just confirmed that X Sector flat rides Submission and Enterprise will not operate during the 2012 season.  According to the post, the closure will allow ground works to commence away from the public in preparation for the proposed new coaster for 2013.

The post from Alton Towers reads:

“Whilst the footprint of the proposed new ride for 2013 does not incorporate the existing attractions – Enterprise and Submission – the building and development process will be substantially simplified by closing these two rides during the 2012 season to allow ground works to commence out of the public area. Oblivion and the rest of X Sector, including the brand new Fried Chicken Company restaurant, will remain open as usual. We apologise if this is dissapointing [sic] to you but we hope you understand and are looking forward to the new attractions!”

UPDATE: In addition, we have received the following statement from Alton Towers:

“Alton Towers Resort has submitted plans for a world-first new attraction to open in time for the 2013 season. 

The steel rollercoaster will be constructed in the X-Sector area of the Theme Park, replacing the Black Hole which was decommissioned in 2005.  Whilst the footprint of the finished ride does not incorporate the existing attractions – Enterprise and Submission – the building and development process will be substantially simplified by closing these two rides during the 2012 season to allow ground works to commence out of the public area.  Oblivion and the rest of X Sector, including the brand new Fried Chicken Company restaurant, will remain open as usual.

We do of course have two amazing new attractions for the 2012 season – Nemesis Sub:Terra in Forbidden Valley is a psychologically and physically thrilling experience, set in a dark, intense underground setting and based around the back-story of the original Nemesis attraction, which opened in 1994. Promising to be one of the Resort’s most terrifying attractions, Nemesis Sub:Terra takes guests down into the deepest, darkest location of the theme park for the experience of a lifetime. At the other end of the scale is Ice Age– the 4-D Experience in Cloud Cuckoo Land, which promises to be the coolest attraction of the year.  Opening on 24th March it combines 3-D footage with an exhilarating array of synchronized physical effects!”

It’s currently not known whether the closure will result in a refurbishment of the two rides in preparation for the opening of the proposed new ‘Secret Weapon’ coaster on the site of former attraction The Black Hole.