Dreamland ride 'can be rebuilt'

Campaigners have said a Grade II listed rollercoaster in Kent can be rebuilt.

About 40% of the Scenic Railway rollercoaster at the former Dreamland amusement park in Margate was destroyed in an arson attack on Monday.

Nick Laister, leader of the Save Dreamland Campaign - which secured the ride's heritage status in 2002, said a rebuild was "possible and achievable".

Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company, which owns the site, was unavailable for comment.

'Listed structure'

Mr Laister continued: "Several people who know the Scenic Railway well, and who have maintained the ride over the years, have told me that repairing the structure will not be a major task."

Peter Kendall, of English Heritage, said: "It's certainly badly damaged but our instinct is that it's not beyond repair."

Sandy Ezekiel, leader of Thanet District Council, has called on the owners to restore it as soon as possible.

"It is a listed structure and the expectation is that, wherever possible, a listed structure should be rebuilt," he said.

Thanet District Council will ask members' leave to serve a Repairs Notice for the Grade II listed building at a meeting next week.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Save Dreamland Campaign
Thanet District Council
Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company
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