THE railway network is set to come back into public ownership - but only in Poole Park!

Councillors are set to rule on taking direct control of troubled miniature railway, the Daily Echo can exclusively reveal.

Borough of Poole councillors will consider proposals to bring the railway 'in-house for the foreseeable future' at a meeting next month.

Members of the council's place overview and scrutiny committee will be asked to back a £350,000 investment in the popular attraction, with a view to having it up and running again by summer 2019.

Management will become the responsibility of BOP's culture and community service department, although it is hoped volunteers will remain involved.

BOP recreation and community manager Anthony Rodgers explained: "The safe operation of the Poole Park Miniature Railway has always been the council's main concern.

"We have been careful to consider a wide range of options and feel this approach will deliver a reliable and sustainable miniature railway in the future, keeping this much-loved attraction in Poole Park."

Council bosses terminated their contract with the Friends of Poole Park (FoPP) in June, after the charity was put on notice and the service suspended the month earlier following derailments and a mass walkout of volunteers and staff.

The railway has not operated since May.

FoPP won the tender to run the mini railway in 2017 when Poole council selected the community group over previous operator Chris Bullen, who had run the attraction for more than a decade.

The report to committee says that although the track has been gifted to the council by FoPP, it has 'failed in numerous sections', is 'not fit for purpose and needs to be replaced'.

BOP will also need to purchase a new engine and carriages.

Mr Rodgers said: "As a commercial service the council aims for the miniature railway to generate a net operational surplus within a few years which would be reinvested into Poole Park.

"We would aim to continue to involve voluntary enthusiasts working alongside professional staff in the delivery and maintenance of the attraction."

The initial £350,000 will be funded via borrowing, repaid by income generated from ticket sales.

Committee members,who are set to convene at Poole Civic Centre on September 4, will make their recommendation to the portfolio holder for environment, Cllr John Rampton.

Then Cllr Rampton will make the final decision later in the month.