Major fire on the Scenic Railway 7th Apr. Suspected arson.

[smilerbaker]

Thanks. Good one. I will put it up as a separate post too? Then it's there for all to read.

http://www.thanet.gov.uk/news/latest_pr ... 04-08.aspx

LOL what a load of hot air, basically, yes it should be rebuilt, but its nothing to do with us, goodnight

[miniman]

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&q=dreamland&ie=UTF8&ll=51.385157,1.37762&spn=0.001888,0.004334&t=h&z=18

Interesting, if you look on Flash Earth (www.flashearth.com) and toggle between Microsoft VE and Google Earth images you can see older images showing much more of the park intact (Microsoft images) and the beginnings of the decline (Google images).

http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=51.38527 ... =0&src=msl

[markproctor]

Why bother insuring it, its now worth more. Did it need to be insured coz it's listed building status. After all if the rumours are true about who done it, it might be worth looking into whether any insurance had been taken out? Would've been a waste of money.

[EAS]

LOL what a load of hot air, basically, yes it should be rebuilt, but its nothing to do with us, goodnight

Well I don't think it says that - it is not of course owned by Thanet, but it can bring pressure to bear. It only happened yesterday though!

At least it is some sort of public statement saying that the council at this stage backs a rebuild. Let's try hard to pressure them for such an outcome. The site has a planning brief, and is still designated for an amusement park.

[smilerbaker]

LOL what a load of hot air, basically, yes it should be rebuilt, but its nothing to do with us, goodnight

Well I don't think it says that - it is not of course owned by Thanet, but it can bring pressure to bear. It only happened yesterday though!

At least it is some sort of public statement saying that the council at this stage backs a rebuild. Let's try hard to pressure them for such an outcome. The site has a planning brief, and is still designated for an amusement park.

just really cynical where TDC is concerned

[EAS]

Oh I agree... but let's keep a record of this statement:

Calls to rebuild the Scenic Railway


Margate’s historic Scenic Railway can be rebuilt and everything should be done to ensure that happens.



That’s the message from Thanet District Council, after fire broke out in the Grade II listed structure yesterday afternoon (Monday 7 April) for the third time in its history. The Scenic Railway, which is in the famous Dreamland amusement park site on the town’s seafront, was the first amusement park ride to be listed in the country.



The Dreamland site and the Scenic Railway is privately owned and the responsibility for rebuilding the ride lies with the owners.



Planning guidance, developed by the council, working with other organisations including the Margate Renewal Partnership and the Save Dreamland Campaign, sets out that the Scenic Railway should be kept as part of an amusement based destination. This was given strong support by local people, with 92% who took part in the consultation saying that the Scenic Railway should be kept.



Council Leader, Cllr. Sandy Ezekiel, said: “The fire is a terrible blow for Margate. Many local people hold the Scenic Railway very dearly in their hearts, as our recent consultation showed, and understandably so. It’s perhaps the single most important piece of the town’s cultural heritage and has been a part of Margate for generations. We are determined that, if possible, the Scenic Railway, should be rebuilt as soon as possible and we would expect the owners to do just that. It’s a listed structure and the expectation is that, wherever possible, a listed structure should be rebuilt. Let’s not forget that in the history of the Scenic Railway, it’s been the victim of fire twice before and on both occasions, it’s been re-built. We are hopeful that can happen again this time.



“Our conservation and planning officers have a wealth of technical expertise that can be called upon by the owner if they require it and we would be happy to offer them help and advice. In the first instance, we are calling on the owners of the site to take urgent action to ensure that security at the site is stepped up, in view of what’s happened. I’m sure that local people would agree that it’s vital that this is done to safeguard what is left of the Scenic Railway today.”

[CW]

I have sent an email to the Council Leader (cllr-sandy.ezekiel@thanet.gov.uk) stating how pleased I am the expressed sentiment of TDC!

[EAS]

Good idea!

[troy]

I don't know what to say. I've just picked up the news as the first anyone outside of Margate probably only heard was from todays nationals.

Margate is about to lose (or has lost ?) the only thing that makes it a visitor attraction at present and everything should be done to rebuild and preserve your one last hope of regeneration, as your future without it doesn't even bare thinking about.

As someone who lives in the westcountry I consider myself lucky that I have so many beautiful towns, cities and beaches on my doorstep which attract visitors from all over the country and the contrast with the once popular Margate is frightening.

I called into Margate on a business trip last year which was thankfully very brief. The town centre's a mess. The seafront's a mess. The shops are boarded up. A dispondent and bleak town which appears to have completely given up hope. Even your feral youths looked more mennacing. I'm sorry if this sounds harsh but it is about time that Margate took a bloody good look at itself minus the rose tinteds. There is not one good reason to come to Margate, not one.

But yet, there it was in your midst, sat skulking in a forgotten corner of town, all funned out for the moment but of genuine interest to "outsiders", a reason to come, to visit your shops and to put the fun back. The Scenic.

The Scenic was wasted on you Margate. Other towns would have given their back teeth for it, capatalised on it and cherished its history but you chose a different path and just ignored its significance. Now you are staring into the abyss.

[Zoidstar]

The photo below is "borrowed" from Google earth

The Black box I have put on shows the station that has been destroyed anyone expand it to show the extent of damage?

as the photos I have seen so far are not to clear on showing just how far the fire spread.

[EAS]

Well, I think that many agree that Margate could do with some working on, but progress is always slow when somewhere loses its appeal (and Dreamland was a major attraction) but I hate to remind you of the Cyclone and Pleasureland destruction too, Margate isn't alone.

Also - many did cherish the Scenic and still do - hence this hard fought campaign.

[uvegotmale2000]

The Sun newspaper ran a story today about the fire.I have posted our sites address on the Sun's forum to encourage people to take a look at what we are trying very hard to save,hopefully may encourage others to join our fight

[Becks045]

I don't know what to say. I've just picked up the news as the first anyone outside of Margate probably only heard was from todays nationals.

Margate is about to lose (or has lost ?) the only thing that makes it a visitor attraction at present and everything should be done to rebuild and preserve your one last hope of regeneration, as your future without it doesn't even bare thinking about.

As someone who lives in the westcountry I consider myself lucky that I have so many beautiful towns, cities and beaches on my doorstep which attract visitors from all over the country and the contrast with the once popular Margate is frightening.

I called into Margate on a business trip last year which was thankfully very brief. The town centre's a mess. The seafront's a mess. The shops are boarded up. A dispondent and bleak town which appears to have completely given up hope. Even your feral youths looked more mennacing. I'm sorry if this sounds harsh but it is about time that Margate took a bloody good look at itself minus the rose tinteds. There is not one good reason to come to Margate, not one.

But yet, there it was in your midst, sat skulking in a forgotten corner of town, all funned out for the moment but of genuine interest to "outsiders", a reason to come, to visit your shops and to put the fun back. The Scenic.

The Scenic was wasted on you Margate. Other towns would have given their back teeth for it, capatalised on it and cherished its history but you chose a different path and just ignored its significance. Now you are staring into the abyss.

Troy, your comments are harsh but maybe people will listen now. I grew up in Margate and find it heartbreaking that Margate has potentially some amazing features which some towns would love but they choose to let them rot away.

I am so upset about the Scenic Railway. I hope that perhaps something good may come out of this and that Margate can transform quicker but I somehow doubt it.

[EAS]

But we all know these things - no-one is thinking Margate is currently wonderful surely?

This campaign has tried to be part of the solution, not the problem.

It's an 'unofficial' body, funded by voluntary donations and with a number of people willingly giving up their own time, and its leaders have worked miracles to try to secure a future for Dreamland which will also aid the wider regeneration of the town.

This is the Save Dreamland Campaign. That's what all are trying to do, despite the difficulties.

By the way - the Scenic isn't rotting - or at least wasn't until yesterday. Its owners maybe haven't looked after it well in the past couple of years, but it could, given the will, have been up and running at any time with a little work I believe.

[kevinashe]

eas whats the story with the southport stuff,as it was stored on site as well and i was wondering if it had survived