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

[Zoidstar]

the lottery would perhaps fund work if the site could be sorted out,if its not given it all to the olympics

I maybe wrong but I dont think the lottery will be able to pay as the site and ride are privatly owned I beleve it would have to be owned by a trust, charity or council.

[EAS]

Yup. In certain circumstances grant aid is available for listed building repair but it's in very short supply.

Latest BBC News:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/7335985.stm

[EAS]

It even made the Edinburgh Evening News.

http://news.scotsman.com/uk/Rollercoast ... jp#2690516

Makes a change from Caltongate where perfectly good listed buildings are to be demolished for a new development...that's in the World Heritage Site.


Councils everywhere are - well, not great really.

[Hairy Vince]

It is a plesant surprise the good, sympathetic media coverage so far.

Clearly having the campaign in the public's ether is a good thing moving forward

[EAS]

This 'blast from the past' made me smile though:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1853517.stm

Jim Godden, the owner of Dreamland, said it is in the Guinness Book of Records for being the oldest operating rollercoaster in the UK.

"We are delighted with the news. It now means the industry and us have got recognition as being an important factor in tourism.


The ride is known among enthusiasts as a "woody"

"It has cost me an awful lot of money to restore it. As it is now listed I'm sure we can get benefits from English Heritage for future restoration."

[eddiegi686]

I wonder if local businesses can be persuaded to help, surely places like the two bowling alleys and pubs can benefit from people staying in the town or going out in the town to visit dreamland? Also thinking of other businesses transport links are a problem.

It's great news to hear that the railway should be able to be restored. I think a lot of fundraising is necessary but clearly the futures of margate and dreamland are now in the hands of the people of Thanet and those who ever visited and remember the fun they had here.

[Lou]

Would just like to say a big thankyou to Nick, Sarah, Dave and Susan for all their hard work. X

[GaryGamlin]

I just cant belive this has happened, but am joyed at Nicks news although we now live a long way from dreamland if any help is required would gladly come down and assist with any rebuilding work.

[Cheryl]

News of the fire, even made it to our local paper, The Birmingham Mail. Once again, this highlights the importance of this historical ride.

I am, albeit very slightly, heartened that it was only 25% damaged. Many reports have been saying 40% or even totally destroyed.

[EAS]

I think if you look at the damage, see news page, it's clear that the larger estimates include the station and workshop. However, in practical terms, they are not of any historic significance, so can be discounted.

I am sure that the trains can be replicated, they are a dreadful loss as so lovely but not actually part of the listing, as they are not 'fixtures and fittings'; I have no doubt the metal parts remain in the ashes and can be used as patterns. As one involved with old vehicles, I know the skills exist to do pretty much anything.

As Mr Hunter of Waterbridge has signalled that rebuilding is the intention, then it seems all is not lost. Any engineer will be able to draw up plans using pictures etc even if the originals can't be located, it really is a pretty simple structure technically.

I can't see a probem with such a repair getting Listed Building Consent from Thanet!

So thank you Waterbridge - we look forward with some hope.

[troy]

It was good to read Nicks update which sounded so positive but can I pose one question ?

Under what circumstances can the owner be compelled to repair The Scenic ?

Yes, anything can be repaired with enough time and enough money but where is that money coming from, and even if that money was available the owner is surely under no obligation to carry out repairs.

[smilerbaker]

It was good to read Nicks update which sounded so positive but can I pose one question ?

Under what circumstances can the owner be compelled to repair The Scenic ?

Yes, anything can be repaired with enough time and enough money but where is that money coming from, and even if that money was available the owner is surely under no obligation to carry out repairs.

they are under no obligation to repair it. Listing it means they cannot knock it down, or do any modifications to it without EH approval. But if it should (for arguments sake) burn down, then all bets are off.

Worst case for the owners is EH wont allow them to remove whats left.

[Geoffers]

Things are starting to look positive...

My big worry is that security will not be beefed up at all, and that given what was attempted, didn't (fingers crossed) do "the trick" for whoever was behind this, that we may have a brighton pier situation here, where a return visit is made to "finish the job off".

I can't help but wonder if there is anything we can do to try and keep watch on the site... to augment the "official" security?

[EAS]

It actually has not a lot to do with EH at this stage, it's Listed at II and it's the local authority which gives approvals. The Twentieth Century Society is watching carefully what happens too.

But Toby Hunter has signalled to Nick that he intends rebuilding, and engineers are engaged to visit next week.

This was cheering too:

Roger Gale, Tory MP for Thanet North, said: “Those who love Margate have loved the scenic railway.

“It has been a beautiful example of seaside architecture and engineering, and over the generations it has given pleasure to hundreds of thousands of visitors.

“We must not, though, let the loss of this structure – if indeed it is a total loss – distract us from the development of the Dreamland site.

“We envisage plans for a working seaside funfair museum, bringing together the best of the remaining carousels, rides, dodgems and seaside artefacts, and this event makes it more important than ever to ensure that Margate, the home of the bathing machine, becomes an international centre for the traditional funfair.

He added: “We need to look forward. Yesterday’s seaside holidays will not return, but the creation of the Turner Centre and the whole Margate waterfront development can create a new beginning for a town whose best years are, I believe, still to come.”

http://www.kentnews.co.uk/kent-news/Rol ... 11655.aspx

The site's planning brief is for an amusement park for at least half of it. That needs to be up and running soon.

[CW]

I've just heard Councillor Sandy Ezekiel on BBC Radio Kent stating that a Repair Order could be issued by middle of next week following his discussions with the current owners.

I'm not certain what this means, but 'repair' and 'order' in the same sentence from the Council Leader sounds positive.