Concerns Over "Infilling" of Whitby Cliff Lift

Fresh concerns have been raised over the future of Whitby's out of action cliff lift.

The “iconic structure” on the West Cliff closed in 2022 after the discovery of corrosion in its structure and a steady increase in water ingress, and for the last three years the council has run a free subsidised bus service over the summer to replace the lift and get people from the car park to the beach.

North Yorkshire Council recently launched a public consultation on the future of the bus service but now an item in the council's "Forward Plan" suggests a decision about infilling the lift shaft will be taken in October without any public consultation raising concern from local residents and politicians.

A report to be presented to councillors requests a budget of £600,000 “to undertake the necessary works” with a decision due to be made by the Council's Executive Committee in October. The details of the report are not yet visible on the council website but a line in the forward plan item states:

"There is no consultation proposed in relation to the decision to infill the cliff lift."

This is the Coast asked North Yorkshire Council for clarification on the suggestion that the lift shaft could be "infilled", the council's response doesn't directly address the infilling suggestion.

In a written statement, North Yorkshire Council’s corporate director for environment, Karl Battersby, said:

“The cliff lift in Whitby closed in 2022 after corrosion was discovered in its structure, and it was deemed to be unsafe.

“While it would be possible to restore the lift to working order, this would come at a significant cost and the effects of water and ventilation issues would continue to pose challenges.

“The matter will be formally reported to our executive for a decision later in the year.

“A free replacement bus service has since been provided to take passengers down to the promenade.

"The cost of operating the service in 2024 was more than £50,000, or approximately £350 per day.”

More than 4,000 people have already signed a petition calling for the “essential service” to be preserved for future generations. https://www.change.org/p/save-the-historic-whitby-cliff-lift

Coun Phil Trumper, who represents the Whitby West division on North Yorkshire Council, said he had spoken with the mining company Anglo American, which had

“confirmed that it is willing to send its specialists, with NYC’s permission to carry out a further investigation to see if the work to repair the lift could be done at a more efficient price”.

In addition to its symbolic importance, locals have also highlighted its role in allowing “everyone, regardless of physical ability, to enjoy the stunning coastline of Whitby”

Coun Linda Wild, a member of Whitby Town Council, said:

“It’s [going to] cut off anyone who’s not 100 per cent fit or has young children.

“I know elderly people who have got chalets down there and they can’t go.

“There are so many people from the community who don’t normally comment who are coming forward about the lift.”

The online petition states:

“Statistics show that there’s a significant number of people with mobility issues in Whitby and its surrounding areas who rely on this lift for their seaside experiences.

“Closing it without an acceptable alternative would mean taking away their ability to fully enjoy our natural resources.

“It’s crucial to act swiftly and collectively to preserve this essential service for future generations.”

Whitby’s Cliff lift, on North Terrace, was opened in 1931 and consists of a lift within a vertical shaft running down from the cliff top through the boulder clay, leading to a 221ft long pedestrian tunnel out to the beach.

The consultation on the future of the replacement bus service can be found at https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/your-council/consultations-and-engagement/current-consultations/whitby-cliff-lift-replacement-bus-service-consultation

The forward plan entry can be seen at https://edemocracy.northyorks.gov.uk/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=43590&PlanId=349&RPID=15098229

The Cliff Lift petition is at https://www.change.org/p/save-the-historic-whitby-cliff-lift