Cliff lift closure 'damaging seaside trade'

The continued closure of a fire-damaged cliffside lift is badly affecting nearby businesses, a trader has said.

Repairs are progressing on Saltburn's Victorian cliffside tramway, but there is no firm re-opening date in sight.

It has been closed since a blaze broke out in January, leaving it with significant damage.

Amber Henderson, manager of the Toggie Oggie Cornish Pasty Company, said there has been a significant impact on footfall at the bottom of the cliff where several businesses are counting the cost.

The lift, which opened in 1884, connects Saltburn's pier to its old town and allows users to avoid climbing 173 steps.

When operating at its capacity it can transport more than 100,000 passengers every year.

Ms Henderson said fewer people are making their way from the town to the seafront since the lift closed.

"It's been the quietest year since we've been here," she said. "We've definitely noticed a loss of sales.

"People with mobility issues can't get up and down the stairs and the parking charges have also gone up.

"It's putting a lot of people off."

A spokesman for Redcar and Cleveland Council said staff are "trying our best to get the attraction open as soon as possible".

He said a full electrical rewiring had been carried out, as well as other work.

"We still have a bit to go until we can open," he said.

"We need to wait for the control system to be finished and installed and we still need to carry out safety checks."

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