Local Councillors Call for Further Surveys of Whitby Cliff Lift

Councillors in Scarborough and Whitby are calling on North Yorkshire Council not to permanently decommission Whitby's Cliff Lift.

A decision about the future of Whitby's Cliff lift should not be made without further surveys of the lift shaft.

That's the call from local councillors, after a new site survey by Anglo American found the lift shaft to be relatively dry despite two earlier surveys finding significant water ingress.

The latest survey took place in June while the earlier surveys were both conducted in winter months.

North Yorkshire Council's executive is to consider a report next month which recommends permanently decommissioning the lift.

Scarborough Councillor Rich Maw is one of the Yorkshire Coast councillors who are recommending that more surveys are carried out before a decision is taken.

"Scarborough Borough Councils Survey in 2020 and Align's in 2025 suggested extensive water ingress.

Anglo Americans advice in August this year found the shaft relatively dry with no urgent need for expensive back wall grouting, and that's a direct contradiction.

And crucially, Anglo-American recommended cheaper interventions like replacing grout plugs and improving ventilation. So we must not rush to infill and right off the lift without first conducting year-round monitoring and seeking a definitive picture.

This isn't just about money, it is about priorities and I would urge that the cliff list should not be decommissioned, and that further monitoring and external funding opportunities must be fully explored before we even consider such an irreversible loss."

Whitby Councillor Phil Trumper launched a petition earlier in the year to gauge public support for the lift he says there is public demand to save the lift.

"I believe we should be repairing the cliff lift. I think it's such an important asset.

The petition highlighted just how important it is to the town. 5,601 people have signed that petition, highlighting that we should be protecting our assets.

Anglo American agreed to survey the cliff lift and came back with a report regarding , the condensation and lack of ventilation in the shaft. There's a different view between Align and Anglo-American on that.

I believe that because it was in June, I think we probably should be asking again, so we could ask Anglo American if they would come back after the winter and come back in the new year and do another survey to see how dry the shaft is then

And I think it is important that we do have more surveys of the shaft to give us more information because it, if it is condensation, then that can be resolved at a much cheaper price than if it is a different water ingress issue coming into the shaft."

Whitby Mayor - Town Councillor Sandra Turner - told the meeting the lift is a vital asset for the town.

"Whitby is consistently in the top five of the most visited tourist destination for a seaside town.

We more than punch above our weight. Adding to the revenue that comes back to North Yorkshire Council in the tourism revenue benefit to this area, and I think consider taking away one of our historical assets to the town, this is an absolutely disgraceful suggestion to go around and take yet more of Whitby away from us. And I, I can't stress that enough.

We are as passionate about our cliff lift as you were about your Scarborough football pitch and we deserve supporting in every avenue that you are going down.

And at this moment in time, it really does feel as if Whitby is being left out on a limb."

Councillor Trumper proposed to the Scarborough and Whitby Area Committee that their recommendation to the executive should be for more survey work to be carried out and that there should be a public consultation before any permanent closure decision is taken.

 "I recommend that we repair the lift, but I think we also, need to invite Anglo-American to do more surveys on the lift regarding the water ingress and the ventilation.

And also I think we do need a public consultation if the decision by the executive is to close, then I think there needs to be a proper public consultation before that decision is passed I think that's very important

North Yorkshire Council to do a public consultation for everybody to have their say properly.,

So my recommendation is, to , invite Anglo American to do some more surveys in the new year after the winter period and also carry out a public consultation."

The motion emphasised the committee’s opposition to NYC’s recommendation to decommission the lift, invited Anglo American to re-inspect the lift after the winter, and requested a public consultation on the lift’s future.

​It was approved with all members voting in favour except for Coun Heather Phillips, NYC’s executive member for corporate services, who abstained from the vote.

Related Stories

• Whitby Cliff Lift Gets Backing From Local Councillors But Remains At Risk
• Council Recommends Permenant Whitby Cliff Lift Closure
• Whitby Mine Experts Inspect Town's Closed Cliff Lift