Whitby Cliff Lift Shaft Remains Stable Through Winter, But Council Faces Financial Dilemma

A report from mining firm Anglo American says the Whitby Cliff Lift shaft was no wetter in January than in August, but is that enough to encourage the council to repair the lift rather than permanently close it?

The historic Whitby cliff lift, a cherished heritage asset on the North Yorkshire coast, remains in a stable structural condition despite a winter of heavy rainfall, according to a recent report from Anglo American. However, the future of the 95-year-old structure remains clouded by significant financial challenges and technical unknowns regarding water ingress.

The lift has been out of action for the last three years following the discovery of structural issues. North Yorkshire Council's executive will meet next week to consider a plan to permanently decommission the lift. The executive are being presented with six potential options for the lift with officers recommending decommissioning the lift (Option2)

The latest inspection by Anglo American, conducted in January 2026, was specifically requested to determine if the wetter winter months would reveal further deterioration compared to the findings of a drier summer survey. While the shaft itself was found to be in much the same state as it was in August 2025, a new concern was identified at the very top of the lift.

Councillor David Chance expressed his confidence in the structure’s resilience following the winter weather. He stated:

"The condition of the shaft itself hasn't changed since it was inspected by Anglo-American on our behalf in the summer. And the argument then was that was in the summer and it would be dry then.

So we asked for it to be inspected in the winter after we'd had some rain and by God we had a lot of rain and the condition hasn't changed.

So I'm absolutely convinced that the cliff should be repaired."

While the stability of the shaft provides some hope for supporters of the lift, Chris Bourne, North Yorkshire Council's Head of Coastal Infrastructure, noted that the winter conditions did reveal a specific new issue. Providing an update on the technical findings, Mr Bourne said:

"Anglo-American did subsequently undertake that further inspection and there was no change in the condition of the cliff lift. It was still in exactly the same condition that they noted in the summer.

However, they did notice that there was a new leak at the top of the lift shaft where water was getting into the structure."

The core of the debate over the lifts future is as much about the financial reality facing the local authority as it is about the physical state of the lift. The council is currently navigating a difficult budgetary landscape, including a reduction in funding of nearly £20 million. Balancing the books requires significant savings and a substantial contribution from reserves.

In this context, the investment required to bring the 1931 structure back into service is under intense scrutiny. Mr Bourne explained the political and financial hurdle:

"Realistically, this is a financial question.

In the knowledge that there's been very little change in the condition of the cliff lift. The only real new information is the financial situation facing the council.

Recently, the council set a budget. There was a reduction in funding of just under 20 million. To balance the budget requires savings of 20.7 million over 3 years and to set a balanced budget still requires contribution from reserves of 17 million. That budget did not contain any capital or revenue allowances in relation to the cliff lift.

The political skill needed here is to convince the executive that the working cliff lift is a structure worth investing in in the light of the council's current financial situation."

A major point of contention involves a previous estimate from 2020, during the time of Scarborough Borough Council, which suggested a repair cost of around £5 million. Mr Bourne suggested that this figure may have been based on a "worst-case scenario" and that further investigation is required to find a more accurate cost for waterproofing. He clarified:

"The cliff lift can be repaired as seen from the various surveys in the reports. The big unknown and it is a huge unknown is the extent of the requirements to prevent the water ingress.

There is a figure mentioned from 2020 when Scarborough council did a survey of around 5 million pounds. There is a lot of circumspect about that figure.

That figure isn't based on any huge detailed surveys. It was based on an approach to a waterproofing contractor to ask them to set an indicative budget for a worst case scenario which was probably back wall grouting of the lift shaft. That does not mean that back wall grouting is required. It means as clearly said in their report further extensive surveys are needed in order to to decide that.

If the executive were to proceed to repair the cliff lift surveys would be the first way forward."

The Whitby Cliff Lift was closed in April 2022 following the discovery of corrosion. While a free replacement bus service has been provided, public consultation has shown overwhelming support for the reopening of the lift, with a petition garnering over 5,600 signatures. Despite this local passion, council officers have recommended decommissioning the lift due to the financial burden and the availability of alternative beach access at Battery Parade.

The Executive is expected to consider these latest findings and the recommendations on 17 March 2026.

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