Dreamland at Risk...

[EAS]

I've just been re-reading the c20th Society Building of the Month when it was Dreamland and the Scenic Railway.

Thought it worth posting a link again:

http://www.c20society.org.uk/docs/build ... mland.html

It's shocking really what has happened to this site. Those responsible should be ashamed.

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

Too bad it was 1995 and so much was still intact.

[kevinashe]

this country still needs a site similar to beamish and new lanark to protect the past as it seems that it is all disappearing very quickly.i still think that english heritage needs to be alerted of the possible intentional deteriation of the scenic and it is also disgracefull that this is the only ride in the uk to have listed status

[EAS]

Sadly EH has no jurisdiction over Grade II structures. That's up to the local authority. However, it's going on the SAVE Buildings at Risk Register and I am writing the entry NOW!

[Strongbow55]

this country still needs a site similar to beamish and new lanark to protect the past as it seems that it is all disappearing very quickly.i still think that english heritage needs to be alerted of the possible intentional deteriation of the scenic and it is also disgracefull that this is the only ride in the uk to have listed status

If action is not taken to protect the scenic soon we are in trouble
as no maintainance has been done to it to my knowlege since the park closed last september
If we lose the scenic we lose dreamland PERIOD
the structure needs to be maintained and after the wet winter we have had it the wooden structure will be now in desperate need of basic maintainance and I believe its ADIPS will be due in the next few weeks
If the structure is deemed unsafe and in operable then i believe we are in big trouble
IMO we cant be blinkered by the smoke screens that are being put out regarding the future of the park we have to ensure the scenic remains in operation that is the key to saving dreamland
once the scenic closes for good or is deemed unsafe then we have no leverage to save the site

[EAS]

The Scenic may be being deliberately neglected in order to make it inoperable, but it must be retained - sold or given over to some community or charitable group - not destroyed. It also must be at least safe ie not a public danger - and not an eyesore either. The local authority can in that case take action - includuding compulsory purchase or making it safe and charging the owner.

As I said earlier - I am currently writing the piece (with the aid of Nick) to accompany the pictures and it will be hopefully featured in this year's Buildings at Risk book as well as the online version. It goes to press next week. It gets plenty of publicity and we can make the most of that locally also.

[ricardobugsy]

It is my firm belief that MTCRC/Waterbridge will wash their hands with this one. The scenic will probably be farmed out to third parties to maintain and operate/get operational every season, just as it has been done for the past few years. Thus absolving responsibility for the ride.

I also believe that the ONLY reason why they leased out Dreamland for the past couple of years was just to help pay their property taxes rather than lose money by having the site remain empty.

Bythe way, does anyone in the know have a (very rough) ballpark figure as to how much the maintainance/repair costs amount to for the scenic for a season? Thousands? Tens of thousands? ...Just curious

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

The council should have authority over the structure and it's Grade II status, then. I'm sure they could enforce a basic maintenance program as they did the fence issue.

[kevinashe]

as long as the scenic is operational it is bringing in revenue that can be spent maintaining the ride but if it doesnt get it safety certificate and is unoperatable then the structure is at risk of deteriating more.I would expect repairs to be a few thousand a year plus new timber is better treated so it should last longer(at least 25 years) .Also are there any grants from historical bodies or sponsorship from companies to do work on the scenic,probably the best example of this was up at loch lomond in scotland where the maid of the forth(paddle steamer)lay rotting and decaying at the pierside but for a few enthusiasts with a pump to empty the water from the hull of the ship it would have been sunk,but now with the local council and sponsorship from companies it is being restored and although not carrying passengers yet it will soon in the next couple of years so take positivity from this story

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

You can check that out here.
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/l ... index.html

See? With enough public support. It can be done. The barrier is Waterbridge. They own it.
With the Maid', a company was formed for it's preservation.