An update on the future of Whitby’s stricken cliff lift is set to be given at the end of the month, says North Yorkshire Council.
The authority was pressed this week by local residents after six months of hearing “nothing” since the cliff lift was given a temporary reprieve from its proposed permanent closure and de-commissioning.
Back in March, following a 5,000 strong petition and a significant number of objections questioning the validity of the report which North Yorkshire Council (NYC) was using to base the closure decision, it was agreed a new and up-to-date survey would be carried out.
Speaking at a meeting of the Scarborough and Whitby area committee on Wednesday at The Pavilion, local resident, Peter Graham said: “Six months since and nothing has been forthcoming officially. I ask the town council and get very little back on a monthly basis. There must be funds outside the council budget to apply for.”
Benita Nicholson, joined by Dorothy Russell, also asked where the report was.
She asked councillors: “Where is the report from June 4 on the cliff lift. I was there when they did it. What were the findings of the cliff lift review from June 4?”
The meeting heard the survey was done by Align Property Services, a North Yorkshire Council owned firm.
Chair of the meeting, Coun Liz Colling said work was still ongoing to get all the information needed.
She added: “Align have completed their work but need further input from a lift specialist.
“Align are aiming to provide a report by the end of October. Whitby Town Council are being kept up-to-date with the progress of the survey.”
Whitby’s Cliff Lift was opened in 1931 and closed in April 2022 when corrosion was discovered in its structure.
