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A giant “urban zip wire” claimed to be the fastest in any major city in the world is to open in central London next month.

Riders will reach speeds approaching 50kph — roughly the same as a downhill race skier — when they launch into the air from a 35-metre high tower in Archbishop’s Park near Lambeth Palace.

It will take little more than 30 seconds to complete the 225-metre descent, which passes between poplar trees and will provide spectacular views of the Thames, Big Ben, the Shard and the London Eye.

It is the latest in a growing number of city tourist attractions aimed at thrillseekers. Barry Shaverin, founder of Zip World London, said: “I see it as a decent halfway house between a rollercoaster and a bungee jump. It’ll be exciting but not terrifying. Giant zip lines and the greatest cityscape in the world — it seemed such an obvious idea to put the two together. And Archbishop’s Park is one of London’s best-kept secrets. We really want to help it get the attention it deserves.”

The ride will be the climax of a 40-minute “experience” including a safety briefing, kitting up and a short wait at the top of the launch tower. Riders are slowed by special equipment before “touchdown” at a landing tower 12 metres off the ground.

Mr Shaverin said he was inspired by Britain’s longest zip wire, the one-mile Zip World line at Penrhyn Quarry in Wales. Its operators are partners in the London attraction.

“[Zip World Penrhyn] is great but it is a day trip, this you can do in your lunch hour,” he said. “It’s very difficult to replicate that childhood experience of doing something new every day. I hope people will come away thinking, ‘Wow, I’ve never done that before.’” There are two lines, one taut for heavier riders and one slacker for younger, lighter participants. There will be a ride every two minutes giving a capacity of 60 people an hour.

Last Friday a 300-metre zip wire was set up for one day at the Chiswick Park office development. In December a 450-metre wire was erected over the Thames by Parliament, again for only a day. It was installed by experts from London Fire Brigade to raise more than £1 million for Evelina London Children’s Hospital.

Other adventure attractions in the capital in recent years include the Go Ape treetop rope course in Battersea Park, the 178-metre helter-skelter around the Orbit tower in Stratford, and Wake Up London, a wakeboarding experience in Victoria Dock.

Tickets for Zip World London cost £22.50 for adults, £18.50 for students and £16.50 for children over eight. A family ticket costs £58.95. It is open from 10am to 7pm from 7 July for 12 weeks.