UK’s oldest rollercoaster closes down after over 100 years

It's finally shut down after more than 100 years

The Scenic Railway at Dreamland in Margate first opened in 1920, and has officially shut now, two years after it stopped running when a fault was discovered.

Earlier this week, Dreamland confirmed that the ride was going into retirement, and it was going to "take well-earned retirement from operation as a ride".

The rollercoaster, which is Grade II* listed, was restored in 2015 after it was closed in 2005 and suffered an arson attack in 2008.

"Dreamland is committed to finding a new long-term plan to reinvent the Scenic Railway and for it to be enjoyed by future generations in a fresh way," a spokesperson says.

It said that after an "extensive process of consultations and inspections", the park "concluded that, after 100+ years, the ride has come to the end of its current life".

The decision came "in close consultation" with Thanet District Council, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England.

Thanet District Council said the decision was 'particularly disappointing'.

"The Scenic Railway is a Grade II* Listed structure and as such any alterations or change of use will require both planning permission and listed building consent, including consultation from Historic England," a spokesperson said.

"Any application submitted will need to evidence why its operation as a ride is no longer viable including the technical reports that have led to this conclusion.

"If Dreamland isn’t proposing any change of use or to the structure, the council has no role."