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

[porterm]

Don't forget that Pleasure Beach Blackpool managed to get their fire ravaged classic Grand National woodie back into action in a pretty tight timescale a few years ago so I don't think that should be a major issue.

Plus, I also think we have to remain positive as Dave has said. Remember "the glass is half full" adage. If we all thought the worse case scenario then nothing would probably happen.

Martin

[EAS]

Totally different scenario at Blackpool and the Nash. Blackpool needed to get it operational rapidly, too.

I am not saying it isn't physically possible - given the cash, the will, people able to carry out the work at short notice such as rebuilding the trains from scratch, any required consents being applied for, consulted on, and given (which Blackpool didn't have to do - the Nash isn't listed, they had all the plans including the Emberton station which was rebuilt, and Blackpool can actually do as it wishes within the confines of the site, using an agreement dating back a century) - but the Scenic was operational until last Monday.

Just it wasn't being operated. Ask yourself why.

Of course we all hope one day it will be - but I think next Easter is maybe being optimistic.

Council considers planning options for Scenic Railway
Measures to ensure that Margate’s historic Scenic Railway is preserved and repaired will be considered by members of Thanet District Council’s Planning Committee on Wednesday (16 April).



A late report has been put on the agenda of the meeting, following the fire that broke out last week (Monday 7 April), asking members to authorise the serving of Statutory Notices to preserve and repair the structure if necessary.



The Scenic Railway, which first opened in 1920, became the first amusement park ride to be Grade II listed in 2002 and is the oldest rollercoaster in the country. The fire destroyed approximately 20% of the tracks, the workshop where the cars were housed and part of the ‘station’. The engine house, containing the electric motors and winding gear, survived.



It is hoped that the owners of the site, the Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company, who are responsible for the Scenic Railway, will undertake the necessary work and discussions between the council and the owners and their agents are continuing about this and, also, security on the site. Council officers state in the report that “it is considered reasonable to expect that the ride might be repaired and operational by Easter 2009”.



The report goes on to request that power is given to officers dealing with this to serve Statutory Notices under the Planning Act if needed. These notices would require the owners of the Scenic Railway to put the structure back to the condition it was in at the time it was listed. If the specified repairs are not carried out, then, depending on the type of notice issued, a compulsory purchase process would begin or the council could carry out the required work itself and claim the cost of this work back from the owners of the site. The report also suggests that members could, if they felt it appropriate, serve a similar notice on the Dreamland cinema building, which is also listed.



Leader of Thanet District Council, Cllr. Sandy Ezekiel, said: “Our first priority ever since the fire broke out has been to get the Scenic Railway repaired. It’s clear that, although the fire was exceptionally serious, it’s possible that it can be rebuilt and that’s exactly what we will be pushing for. Obviously it’s our hope that the owners of the site will carry out the work that is required without the need for any further action from the council, but we feel that this site is so important to Margate and the local community that we need to ensure that happens. That’s why Planning Committee are being asked to give officers these powers, so that if the repairs are not carried out by the owners, we can take legal action to ensure that the Scenic Railway is repaired and brought back into use. I’m sure that’s a move that local people will warmly welcome.”



ENDS

These notices would require the owners of the Scenic Railway to put the structure back to the condition it was in at the time it was listed.

Bit different to some of what has been reported. I think 'operational' may not be quite as simple an issue as 'repaired'.

We can hope.

[dave771]

This is about repairing the scenic and getting it operational, not getting the park up and running. The ride has run as a stand alone attraction before and managed very well, no reason why that cannot be the case again. We already have a planning brief stating what they would like to see as far as the Heritage Park is concerned. Two totally different things.

[EAS]

Yes, it's part of the proposed Repairs Notice report. There needs to be a statement of an expected timescale for the owners. It's not a statement saying it will be operational and open for public use next Easter. The news reports seem to have not appreciated the subtleties of plot.

Planning Brief - no planning applications as yet, and the Heritage Park and the rest of the development are really intertwined, if it is claimed that one is 'enabling' for the other. I appreciate that the Planning Brief also says that the park should be up and running asap, but without an accepted plan for the rest of the park that may not be straightforward.

There's still the entire process of applications and public consultation to be gone through - including statutory consultees.

[RowBot]

Can we stop with all this negativity please ! Lets just see what happens instead of putting a downer on everything !

here here! well said Dave

[bluea61]

Just going back to BPB; they have done a grand job on the Wild Mouse so far and it is looking excellent. There is still a great deal to do, but it is looking very tidy at the moment. Full credit to the Beach for undertaking this work.

I hope they can bring back the scenic as well as they did the Nash. Apart from the naff brake system it also looks great and still gives a great ride.

When the Scenic is made operational again I'm sure there will be nothing to stop a few more travelling fairs from taking on the site, whilst gradually the heritage rides are added. Out of interest does anybody know of a list of what other rides are in storage?

Thanks

[erclairedoc]

If you go to the savedreamland home page and click on the Dreamland Heritage Park link, you will see plans for rides to be included. Also there are details of rides that have been salvaged by the save dreamland campaign. Hope that helps!

[russoakes]

I must admit that before the events of last week I hadn't heard of The Scenic. I would have loved and still would love to see it running and I know that this can be acheived. I just hope that the owners are pressured into doing something about this disaster. I would be willing to help if I can. I Run a website hosting company and I would offer to host you savedreamland site for free, just as a good will gesture.

Regards,

Russ

[EAS]

A few interesting views here:

http://www.urban75.net/vbulletin/archiv ... 73173.html (basic version)

http://www.urban75.net/vbulletin/showth ... p?t=173173 (full site with coaster pics)

(Warning - some four letter words)

Note the date 2006... but little seems to change, apart from the fact the Rotunda is now gone too, sad as that was supposed to be removed for Margate.


I had no idea Mr Godden was involved with Brighton also. What an unfortunate chap he seems to be with fires.

[paul69]

Sorry EAS i dont understand your last post or the two links ?. As sad as it all is it is the past and is old news now, their is several older links to this. what does this have to do with the scenic or margate on this stage of the campaign ? ?.

[EAS]

I always think history is worth knowing and bearing in mind.

[paul69]

And no one else does ? . Is that not part of the save the dreamland campaign ? Fighting to save the history ?. Present history ! .

[EAS]

I think the past informs the present.

But then I'm a historian.

[smilerbaker]

So what whould anyone gain by burning down brighton pier? very interesting if its true mr g does own it. Surely he is on borrowed time, the bib MUST be onto him by now

[thanet26294]

Maybe its worth more in insurance than a viable structure...............