Historic lift reopens

HASTINGS West Hill Lift has reopened after being closed for nearly a year for maintenance. The lift, a funicular railway that takes passengers from George Street in Hastings Old Town to the top of the West Hill, is operated by Hastings Borough Council. The lift had to close last October for maintenance, but the work took far longer than expected.

The lift is 130 years old and still uses the original carriages, so maintaining it is a very specialist area. The original contractor, based in Sheffield, was unable to carry out the work as planned, and parts had to be shipped from America. Photo: Kevin Boorman