Britain's oldest cliff lift, which opened in 1875, has closed with immediate effect due to safety concerns. The Scarborough Spa Cliff Lift, in the popular seaside town of Scarborough, Yorkshire, was used to transport passengers between the hotels on the Esplanade and the spa.
Heritage Attraction Shut After Engineers Find Issues
The Victorian-era attraction, which cost £8,000 to build, was originally powered by water and gas engines before being converted to run on electricity in the 1950s. It is one of the town's popular heritage attractions, but engineers found that the lift had "a number of issues".
Live performances and exhibitions were held in the town last year to celebrate its 150th anniversary, The Sun reports.
Council Acknowledges Importance to Scarborough
Councillor Carl Les, with North Yorkshire Council, said that the lift "is an important part of Scarborough's history and identity". He added that no decisions have been made about the scope of any future works or timescales.
The latest report investigated the condition of the tracks, carriages and associated infrastructure, the council said. The findings will be assessed in detail and further updates will be shared.
The lift operates in a coastal environment, which could accelerate wear and corrosion.
