Alton Towers Theme Park's decision to cut opening hours by up to 1 hour on selected dates throughout the season has today made somewhat of a U-turn.

Although some 4:00pm theme park close times still exist in September and October, all of the earlier closes planned until then have been scrapped, returning to the more familiar ride close time of 5:00pm.

TowersTimes first reported the changes to the park schedule last week, and the theme parks official facebook account together with our discussion forums were consequently filled with discussion, the majority of people appearing critical of the decision.

It is not the first U-turn made by Alton Towers in recent weeks. Originally, it had been advertised that the Submission and Enterprise thrill rides, located in X-Sector, would be closed for the 2012 season. This was later overturned.

To discuss the 2012 opening hours, please visit our popular discussion forums by clicking here.