Isle of Wight Council in Talks Over Shanklin Cliff Lift

A temporary bridge looks set to open in a seaside resort on the Isle of Wight after the town’s famous Cliff Lift was dramatically closed in March.

The bridge, which will be securely fixed to the lift shaft, should open in mid-July, before the school summer holidays, in a bid to minimise the impact on tourism in the area.

The Shanklin Cliff Lift was closed as a result of rapid deterioration of the structure supporting its footway. The unexpected damage to the metal structure prompted alarm and outrage from the local community, particularly businesses that depend on tourism in the area.

The Cost of Erosion

The temporary bridge is expected to cost around £10,000 over the summer season. Around £40,000 of work is also need to remove the current bridge repair.

There were initial concerns about how the bridge would be fixed to the lift shaft, although these have now been overcome, and the bridge will provide a temporary link for the many locals and visitors who use the lift to access the beach from the town above.

Local councillors are now meeting to discuss the £700,000 funding needed to provide a new link bridge, with many people stating that this would be a better option than having the current bridge repaired in order to ensure its future longevity. They are also discussing a complete motor-room refurbishment.

The Importance of the Lift

For the people of Shanklin, and the Isle of Wight as a whole, it is unthinkable that the money will not be found to solve the problem as quickly as possible and with the best possible outcome for future operations, given its huge importance for the economy and the tourist industry in an area.

The Cliff Lift has been a well-known attraction for generations, featuring on many postcards in the seaside town, but its practical use is as important as its romantic associations with holidays of the past. Without it, tourists and locals face a vastly increased walk and steep hills to travel between the beach and all of its amenities and the properties and business links in the town.

It is hoped that the new bridge will be constructed from materials that are particularly resistant to the coastal environment. Another alternative being considered is the possibility of storing it safely when not in use to ensure effective maintenance.

If the funding is agreed, the work to replace the bridge and revamp the motor room should be carried out at the end of this year or at the beginning of 2016.

The problems faced by the people of Shanklin highlight the maintenance issues that can be experienced by operators of outdoor lifts, where very specific practical factors and environmental influences must be taken into account.

Installation can be more complex than with indoor elevators, as can ensuring that they remain in good condition and can operate as much as possible, regardless of weather conditions and environmental pressures.