Ageing cliff lift shut for fourAgeing cliff lift shut for four

Scarborough's landmark St Nicholas Cliff lift was built to transport passengers from the South Bay to the town centre 80 years ago.

But it has not moved since it closed four years ago because Scarborough Council could not afford to spend 93,000 repairing it. Since since, the estimated bill has risen to 650,000, a new report has revealed.

Scarborough Council's Head of Finance and Asset Management Nick Edwards says there are now moves to put the site out for tender to a commercial venture.

As well as the cost of repairs, the lift had been also running at a loss – 12,000 in its last year – owing to a fall in passengers from nearly 93,000 in 2002 to 71,500 in 2006, "Since the lift closed there has been further deterioration and a structural inspection two years ago revealed further extensive deterioration of the concrete rail bed," added Mr Edwards.

A task group was set up to seek funding for the work from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Government's Sea Change Project, but both failed.

"The longer the lift is left, the more it will deteriorate, increasing the cost of renovation," he added.

Tramps had been sleeping in the carriages, forcing the council to keep boarding them up.

It seemed unlikely a private operator would want to reopen it as a lift because of the cost of repairs. But it might be suitable for some other venture.