BULLDOZERS have moved in on one of Britain’s most iconic seaside amusement parks, but thrillseekers have been thrown a lifeline.
Generations of holidaymakers have flocked to the legendary amusement park for more than a century of candyfloss and white-knuckle rides.
But Coney Beach Amusement Park in Porthcawl, South Wales, is now being reduced to rubble after bosses padlocked the famous gates for the very last time in October.
The park hosted a farewell fireworks display as it bowed out of the UK holiday scene for good.
The beloved attraction first opened way back in 1918 to entertain returning American WW1 troops, taking its legendary name from the iconic pleasure beach in New York.
Now, the massive plot is being completely flattened to make way for a mega-money waterfront regeneration project backed by the Welsh Government.
This sweeping revamp will see the vintage arcades and dodgems replaced by up to 980 new homes, alongside a string of modern cafes and restaurants.
While gutted locals have mourned the loss of a true seaside legend, council chiefs insist the drastic facelift is the only way to secure the resort’s booming economic future.
However, devastated fans of traditional fairground magic won’t be left high and dry when the summer holidays roll around.
A new seasonal funfair is set to pitch up at the nearby Salt Lake site to ensure Porthcawl keeps its crown as a top tourist magnet.
Launching just in time for the Easter break, the brand-new family attraction will boast an epic big wheel, classic rides, and mouth-watering food stalls.
Run by the veteran showmen at Studt’s Events, the fully-stewarded site will even share its prime waterfront spot with the dazzling NoFit State circus this April.
It means that while the historic Coney Beach might be gone forever, the brilliant British tradition of seaside thrills is very much here to stay.