West Cliff Lift, Whitby

The problem of how to transport residents and tourists from the west cliff promenade to the beach below, a distance of some 120ft (36m), had vexed town councillors for many years. In 1925 a serious proposal was put forward to build a surface-inclined funicular railway, but this was turned down on the basis that it would not compliment the surrounding environment. Once this option had been squarely ruled out, a more radical approach had to be employed.

As the cliff was formed predominately from boulder clay, which is easily excavated, the idea of a vertical lift shaft connected to a pedestrian foot tunnel was conceived. This concept was formally proposed in 1928, and the Whitby West Cliff Lift was finally approved after much discussion. The first tunnel to be completed was the 221ft (66.3m) pedestrian tunnel. Both tunnels were made secure by the use of 1ft (303mm) thick concrete linings, giving an overall finished diameter to the tunnels of some 14ft (4.2m). For additional stability, the vertical shaft would be 'tied in' to the pedestrian tunnel with a specially cast lining comprising some 16 individual sections.

The vertical shaft would carry two lift cars, each being 8ft (2.4m) long by 4ft 3inches (1.4m) wide, with a capacity of 15 persons per car. They would be controlled by electric winding gear ingeniously housed in a small building above the shaft. Constructed of brick, the building comprises an arrangement of eight pillars supporting twin gables and a tiled roof. The lower entrance to the foot tunnel has a rendered façade, incorporating large entrance gates. In 1931 the lift was opened to the public, and continues to be regularly used by both residents and tourists alike.

At the beginning of 2003 Whitby West Cliff Lift underwent refurbishment by Scarborough Council, the current owners. This work has changed the the original design of the facility inasmuch as only one lift car was replaced. The area previously occupied by the second car has now, we believe, been converted into an emergency stairwell. Alas, the car that has been installed is a very modern car, of aluminium construction, similar to that found in any office building, and is even fitted with an automated 'voice'! Definitely not in keeping with the original structure.