We, the undersigned, call on Thanet District Council to exercise its statutory duties to protect the Grade II* listed Scenic Railway at Dreamland Margate and to ensure that any decisions regarding its future are subject to appropriate heritage oversight, transparency, and public consultation.

The Scenic Railway is the oldest roller coaster in the United Kingdom and one of a very small number of surviving wooden roller coasters worldwide. Its national and international significance is formally recognised through its Grade II* listed status, denoting a structure of particular historic importance.

The Scenic Railway was restored using substantial public funding, including grants from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and other public regeneration programmes. This investment was made on the basis that the structure would be conserved, maintained, and made accessible for public benefit over the long term.

The recent decision by the owners of Dreamland to retire the Scenic Railway from operation as a ride raises serious concerns about the long-term stewardship, conservation, and future use of this nationally significant heritage asset. While we recognise that Dreamland operates as a private business, private ownership does not remove the statutory protections or public responsibilities attached to a Grade II* listed structure.

Our Concerns
- That non-operation may place the Scenic Railway at risk of neglect or gradual deterioration
- That changes in use or presentation could occur without sufficient heritage scrutiny
- That recognised heritage stakeholders and the wider public may not be meaningfully consulted
- That the long-term public benefit associated with significant public investment may be undermined
 
We therefore call on Thanet District Council to:
Publicly confirm that any change in use, alteration, or intervention affecting the Scenic Railway requires full Listed Building Consent and will be subject to rigorous heritage assessment.
Require the preparation of a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) for the Scenic Railway, setting out how its historic significance will be preserved, maintained, and respected in the long term, and ensuring this plan is subject to public consultation.
Actively monitor the condition of the Scenic Railway and commit to using statutory enforcement powers where necessary to prevent neglect or deterioration of this Grade II* listed structure.
Ensure meaningful public and stakeholder consultation takes place before any future proposals affecting the Scenic Railway are considered, including engagement with recognised heritage organisations.
Seek clarification from relevant heritage funding bodies as to whether the retirement of the Scenic Railway from operation aligns with the original objectives and conditions attached to public grant funding.