MP Joins Calls to Save Historic Whitby Cliff Lift

Scarborough and Whitby MP Alison Hume has voiced her strong opposition to the proposed decommissioning of Whitby’s historic Cliff Lift, joined by a chorus of local councillors and residents who describe the 93-year-old landmark as a "necessity" rather than a luxury

The future of the lift, which has been out of service since 2022 due to corrosion and water issues, is currently hanging in the balance as North Yorkshire Council prepares to make a final decision on it's future later this month.

Speaking on her determination to protect the asset, Ms Hume expressed concerns that decision-makers outside of the coastal area are disconnected from the needs of the community. She stated:

"I'm really feeling more determined than ever to push North Yorkshire Council to appoint or use somebody they already have a senior officer who will take an interest in the coast because I think that there have been several examples which show that the people in Northallerton are really not in tune with Scarborough and Whitby and I think that the cliff lift is one of these things.

It's beloved. I've used it many many times with my going down to the beach. It's been closed for a while. Why? Why? Why was it allowed to just disintegrate to the point where they now want to knock it down? This is part of our heritage and we're going to really try and fight for it."

The debate over the lift’s future intensified after a packed meeting at Whitby Pavilion on Monday, where coastal councillors voted unanimously in favour of a motion calling for the structure to be repaired and reopened. While the council has estimated "worst-case" repair costs at £5.5 million, local figures like Councillor David Chance have questioned the validity of these figures, suggesting they may have been "plucked out of the air to justify inaction".

Ms Hume also highlighted recent findings regarding the physical state of the structure, noting that a secondary look at the site suggested the damage might not be as severe as the council has portrayed. Emphasising the importance of the lift for local accessibility and heritage, she said:

"Anglo-American or Anglo Tech as they are now. They've been in and they've had a look. The water ingress is not as bad as North York Council have made out.

Ultimately, it's it's an opportunity for North York Council to invest in Whitby, invest in the town and really keep something that's not only heritage, but you know, important for accessibility.

Without that lift, there's, you know, I have to get a bus down to the beach and the bus that had been put on wasn't working. So, I feel really strongly about this.

You know, the the the more I look into what's been knocked down in Scarborough and Whitby over recent years, the more I'm sort of like feel stubborn and think I don't want anything else to be knocked down."

The accessibility issue remains a central point of contention for residents. While Chris Bourne, the council’s head of harbours and coastal infrastructure, asserted that slipways and ramps provide adequate beach access for those with disabilities, local residents and councillors like Rich Maw have argued that the council "cannot row back on accessibility options".

The economic implications for the Yorkshire Coast are also significant, with Councillor Janet Jefferson noting the need to "preserve our economy and employment" in a town where tourism is vital. As the North Yorkshire Council executive committee prepares to meet on 17th March to decide whether to spend up to £538,000 on decommissioning or to look again at repair options, local councillors say the community's message remains clear: this historic asset must be saved for future generations.

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