Over 4,500 people have backed a petition campaigning for the preservation of Whitby Cliff lift.
The lift was closed in 2022, with North Yorkshire Council confirming that maintenance costs were too high to resolve operational safety hazards such as ‘structural corrosion’ and ventilation issues.
However, the lift is reportedly at risk of being infilled by the council without a public consultation on the decision, according to the BBC.
Whilst a free replacement bus service has been introduced since the closure of the lift, the online petition calls on the council to preserve the town’s ‘iconic structure’, arguing the lift is an ‘essential service’ that supports those with mobility issues and disabilities.
Petitioners have emphasised that the lift ‘symbolises inclusivity and accessibility’, providing a ‘lifeline’ for both visitors and locals by ‘promoting equal access’ to the beach.
North Yorkshire Council’s corporate director for environment, Karl Battersby, said: ‘The matter will be formally reported to our executive for a decision later in the year.’
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