An historic rollercoaster badly damaged in an arson attack could be up and running by next Easter, according to Thanet council officers.
A blaze at Margate’s Dreamland amusement park destroyed 20 per cent of the Grade-II listed Scenic Railway’s tracks, the workshops where the trains were stored and part of the ‘station’ on the evening of April 7.
Thanet District Council’s planning committee will be meeting on Wednesday to discuss how work to repair and restore the wooden rollercoaster will progress.
The council said it was in discussions with the owners of the site, Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company, who are expected to carry out the work.
Cllr Sandy Ezekiel, leader of the council, 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.”
Council officers said: “It is considered reasonable to expect that the ride might be repaired and operational by Easter 2009”.
The rollercoaster opened in 1920 and is one of the oldest of its kind in the world.
POSTED: 14/04/2008 13:16:19