A furious row has erupted in the Yorkshire seaside town of Whitby after plans to permanently close the town’s historic Cliff Lift prompted huge protests, a 6,000-signature petition and intervention from the local MP.
Around 70 campaigners braved the rain and strong winds on February 12 to demonstrate at the 1931 lift on North Terrace, which has been out of action since 2022 due to corrosion and water ingress.
Now Alison Hume, MP for Scarborough and Whitby, has urged North Yorkshire Council to rethink proposals to decommission the structure, branding the town a “golden tourism goose” that deserves investment, not cuts.
“The Whitby Cliff Lift is part of Whitby’s identity as well as providing vital access to the beach from the West Cliff,” she said.
“I fully support (local councillor) Phil Trumper’s efforts to ensure that the Conservative-run North Yorkshire Council renovate and reopen the lift.
“This is a good opportunity for Northallerton to invest in a town which brings so much value to the county.”
The lift, which runs down a vertical shaft through boulder clay before connecting to a 221ft pedestrian tunnel to the beach, has long been seen as a lifeline for elderly and disabled visitors.
Whitby Community Network, which helped organise the protest, warned the structure is of “critical importance” in a town with double the national average of over-60s.
A furious row has erupted in Whitby after plans to permanently close the town’s historic Cliff Lift prompted huge protests
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VISIT YORKSHIRE
Campaigners say without it, many residents and tourists simply cannot reach the seafront.
Whitby’s Mayor, Sandra Turner, joined demonstrators on the clifftop, saying: “This cliff lift is essential for access down to the sea. If you’re disabled and have a mobility scooter – try going down that cliff path, it’s impossible.”
Mr Trumper, who represents Whitby West and launched the petition to save the lift, believes the £5.5million repair estimate can be reduced if a “proper survey” is carried out.
At present, a free replacement bus service ferries visitors to Whitby Sands at a reported cost of £345 per day, with daily passenger numbers ranging from 11 to 33. Mr Trumper insists that is “not sufficient”.
Whitby Mayor, Sandra Turner, said the lift is ‘essential for access down to the sea’
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GETTYThere are also fears the town could lose its prestigious Blue Flag status if disabled access is compromised – a move campaigners warn would deal a serious blow to tourism.
The council, however, says the financial implications cannot be ignored. Its executive is being advised to decommission the lift and remove the top building at a cost of £232,000, sealing the shaft with a reinforced concrete cap.
Karl Battersby, the authority’s corporate director of environment, said: “We understand how important access to the seafront in Whitby is for residents and visitors alike.
“The cliff lift has been a staple of the town’s history, and we are not taking a decision lightly.
“For the lift to be brought back into use, there would be significant costs for repairs and ongoing maintenance, and there remains uncertainty surrounding the need for waterproofing the shaft.”
Mining giant Anglo American, which assessed the lift, previously suggested the shaft appeared relatively dry, with moisture largely due to condensation.
Nevertheless, a recent follow-up identified an isolated water inflow near the top of the shaft requiring further investigation.
Councillors are set to debate the issue in Whitby on March 2, with a final decision expected later in the month.