It’s the oldest rollercoaster within the UK and the fourth-oldest on the earth.
The Scenic Railway has been closed since an incident in 2024 (Picture: Getty)
The oldest rollercoaster within the UK has completely closed after over 100 years in a seaside city. The Scenic Railway in Dreamland, Margate, first opened in 1920 and has been broken by fireplace 3 times. It’s the oldest rollercoaster within the UK and the fourth-oldest on the earth.
The trip has been closed since 2024, when a fault on a carriage ripped out the picket planks on the tracks. A Dreamland spokesman instructed KentOnline that after “intensive” consultations, the theme park determined the trip was “not ready for use”.
The trip was inspected by well being and security specialists, trip consultants, and a technical companies workforce. In a public assertion earlier at the moment, a Dreamland spokesperson mentioned: “The Scenic Railway has accomplished its journey as a rollercoaster and can now take well-earned retirement from operation as a trip.
Dreamland mentioned the trip is taking a “well-earned retirement” (Picture: Getty)
“This isn’t the tip however a brand new starting. We’re dedicated to growing a brand new long-term imaginative and prescient that won’t solely showcase this outstanding Grade II*-listed construction, however reimagine its goal so it could proceed to be loved by future generations in a contemporary and significant manner.”
The park, owned by music agency Dwell Nation, added: “This summer season, we can be internet hosting a pop-up exhibit celebrating the historical past of The Scenic Railway. In the long term, it is going to be re-invented for folks to get pleasure from differently.
“If you’re a inventive thinker with a sensible method, or a dreamer with a considerate and achievable imaginative and prescient, we’d love to listen to from you. Your concepts will assist form what comes subsequent for this Margate icon.”
Thanet District Council referred to as the choice “significantly disappointing” and mentioned it might want Dreamland to offer particulars of the trip’s issues, as it’s “a matter of such native significance”.
They added: “The Scenic Railway is a Grade II* Listed construction and as such any alterations or change of use would require each planning permission and listed constructing consent, together with session from Historic England.
“Any software submitted might want to proof why its operation as a trip is not viable, together with the technical reviews which have led to this conclusion. If Dreamland isn’t proposing any change of use or to the construction, the council has no function.”
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However Margate councillor Rob Yates, who websites as a Inexperienced councillor, was harsher, saying he was “completely fuming” with the choice. He mentioned: “The data as a councillor that I’ve obtained is that the railway wants 5 hours of inspection every day, and I’ve had it confirmed that there is no proof being given to the council to again this up.
“It is killing the custom of it being a theme park. I would like Dwell Nation to rethink this resolution. The council didn’t promote them the amusement park for them to shut the scenic railway, which is without doubt one of the oldest picket railways on the earth. This isn’t simply historic for Kent, it is historic for the world as a picket curler coaster.”
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