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Should Whitby's West Cliff Lift be Replaced With Something Else?

Tuesday, 9 May 2023 06:00

By Matthew Pells

Whitby's Cliff lift is likely to remain closed this summer and a long term alternative may be needed.

The lift inside the West Cliff was closed in April last year when corrosion was discovered in it's structure.

Whitby’s lift, on North Terrace, is in a shaft within the cliff. Water has been getting into the shaft for many years but more recently the situation, combined with the humid environment, has worsened.

In January the old Borough Council said it is now at a point where elements of the lift structure are suffering from corrosion and that even new parts fitted at the beginning of one season they require replacing the following year.

Whitby Councillor - Phil Trumper - says it will be costly to fix and it might be time to consider an alternative.

Whitby Cliff Lift was opened in 1931 and it consists of a vertical shaft running down from the cliff top through the boulder clay, leading to a 221ft long pedestrian tunnel out to the beach.

However, it has faced numerous issues and closures over the years.

Last Summer the borough council introduced a free bus service for nine weeks over the summer to replace the lift.

Whitby Councillor Phil Trumper says that a temporary shuttle bus service will also be in place this summer, but newly elected Mayor of Whitby - Councillor Bob Dalrymple - says that causes problems for many people.

While Councillor Trumper has suggested that it might be time to look at longer term replacements for the lift, Whitby Town Councillor, Chris Riddollls, thinks that the cliff lift should be bought back into service whatever the cost.

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