Yahoo News Still no re-opening date for fire damaged cliff lift as council thanks public for their patience
A council says it still has no potential re-opening date for Saltburn ’s iconic cliff lift, although repair work has started following an electric fault which sparked a blaze in January.
Redcar and Cleveland Council previously said a full rewire would be needed, along with “careful restoration” of the station associated with the grade II listed structure, which dates back to 1884. The council had to wait for the required listed building consent, which was granted earlier this month.
Planning papers state how a fire damaged pump room in the station building is intended to be restored with electrical equipment and broken glazing replaced and a re-paint planned.
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Council deputy leader Carrie Richardson, the cabinet member for culture and climate change on the local authority, said: “Saltburn Cliff Tramway is one of our most loved and popular attractions, so it was heartbreaking to see the extent of the damage caused by the fire earlier in the year.
“Because of its historic significance it is listed as a Grade II structure, meaning we had to get special planning permission before repair works could get started. This was granted and works to repair the building followed immediately after.
“One of the main requirements to get it back up and running is the manufacture and installation of a new control system.”
She added: “Once everything is repaired, we still need to carry out a programme of planned winter maintenance, which happens every year before opening. This was obviously put on hold due to the fire, but it’s still a vital part of our process to ensure people’s safety.
“It’s very difficult to give a firm date for when the tramway will open again, but rest assured, we are working as hard as we can to get it open as soon as possible and we thank everyone for their patience.”
Saltburn ward councillor Philip Thomson said he understood January’s damage had been caused by an electrical fault in a disused fuse box and he had asked for a detailed report on the incident.
The popular attraction is the oldest water-balanced cliff ‘funicular’ still in operation in Great Britain and the second oldest in the world, and transports visitors to and from Marine Parade and the seafront for a small fee.
It has been out of action for long periods before, most notably recently during the covid-19 pandemic. Prior to the pandemic it attracted about 150,000 visitors a year.
Its continued closure will be a blow to the council as Saltburn gears up for the busy summer season. Safety guidelines have restricted its capacity in recent years, the tramway having been described as a basically still a Victorian system with some modern features which are not all automated.
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