The slide will have transparent sections for sightseers Pic: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

The Orbit Tower next to the former Olympic Stadium has been given the go ahead to become the world’s “longest and tallest tunnel slide”.

Measuring approximately 178m long, the giant slide will be 76m high and have 12-loops. It is set to open in spring 2016 and will cost £5 a go.

Peter Tudor, Director of Visitor Services at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park said the slide will be manufactured off-site and that they will have to work out how to attach it to the sculpture.

He added that the real challenge will be the construction process – whether it could be done by abseiling or scaffolding around the sculpture. “[But] the slide really will give a different perspective of Britain’s tallest sculpture,” said Tudor.

Though the slide will be wrapped around the outside of the iconic sculpture, it will be “unobtrusive”.

“We are committed to ensuring our visitors have the best possible day out every time they visit Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and as with all our venues, we are constantly exploring ways to ensure we lead the way with the latest visitor experience,” added Tudor.

An inside view of the slide  Pic: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

The descent will take about 40 seconds with an average speed of around 15mph. “There will be transparent sections on the slide so people can marvel at the view,” added a statement by the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

The decision to build the slide was made at a Legacy Corporation Board planning meeting on Tuesday.

At 114.5m high, the ArcelorMittal Orbit is the UK’s tallest sculpture built by Turner Prize-winning artist Anish Kapoor and structural designer Cecil Balmond. It was designed for the 2012 Olympics and is now open to the public with viewing platforms.