A £100,000 fundraiser to help reopen Britain’s oldest cliff lift has been launched by local residents.
The council shut down Scarborough’s Victorian Spa Cliff Lift in August after engineers identified “a number of issues”, and local groups Scarborough Revival and All Things Scarborough are hoping to raise £100,000 for its repair.
Residents and councillors have demanded answers about the future of the town’s “jewel in the crown”. North Yorkshire Council, which manages the lift, has said it is working with specialist consultants “to better understand the issues and what options may be available”.
It comes as locals and visitors have said the “lifeline” cliff lift needs to be reopened as Scarborough continues to celebrate its 400th anniversary as the original seaside resort.
The lift, which dates from 1875, is one of the most historic attractions in the seaside resort and was shut down over safety concerns.
More than £1,000 had been donated to the JustGiving fundraiser on the first day after its launch.
Scarborough Spa Cliff Lift Appeal.
However, North Yorkshire Council has not publicly set out any cost estimates for the repair of the funicular.
Carl Les, the leader of NYC, said: “We know how much affection people have for the Scarborough Spa Cliff Lift and the important role it plays in the town’s heritage and identity.
“For many residents and visitors, it also provides an important link between the Esplanade and South Bay, helping people access the seafront more easily.
“We are continuing to assess the lift following its closure last month after an engineering assessment identified issues affecting its infrastructure and critical components.
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“Since receiving the maintenance report, we have been working with specialist consultants to better understand the issues and what options may be available.
“We are now building a clearer understanding of the work that may be needed and the likely costs involved. We hope to provide more details in the coming weeks before a formal decision is made on any future programme of repairs.
“As part of this work, we are also exploring whether there are any essential repairs that could be carried out to allow the lift to reopen safely and as quickly as possible, while longer-term options are considered.”
Thomas Murray, the town mayor of Scarborough, has requested “urgent correspondence on the repair from NYC”.
Speaking to the LDRS, he recently said: “It’s not about Scarborough Town Council. It’s about the residents of Scarborough, the community that is incredibly distraught that another heritage asset for Scarborough has been closed.”
(Image: Newsquest)