Leas Lift: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Leas Lift (2).JPG|thumb|Leas Lift (2)]]Originally installed in 1885, in [[Folkestone]], Kent, the [[Grade II Listed]]<ref>{{cite web |url =http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-175454-the-leas-lift-including-waiting-rooms-br|title =The Leas Lift, Including Waiting Rooms, Brake Houses and Railings, Folkestone |website =www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk |accessdate=22 December 2013 }}</ref> '''Leas Lift''' is a [[funicular railway]] which carries passengers between the seafront and the promenade. It is one of the oldest water lifts in the UK.<ref name=BBC-News>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-10758519 Coastal water lift on Folkestone cliffs reopened], BBC News</ref> |
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{{Use British English|date=December 2016}} |
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{{Infobox rail line |
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| box_width = |
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| name = Leas Lift |
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| color = |
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| logo = |
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| logo_width = |
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| image = Leas Lift (2).JPG |
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| image_width = |
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| caption = |
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| type = [[Funicular]] |
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| system = |
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| status = |
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| locale = [[Folkestone]], [[Kent]] |
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| start = Seafront (at the base) |
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| end = The promenade (at the top) |
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| stations = 2 |
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| routes = |
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| total_ridership = Over 36.4 million people (since opened) |
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| open = 1885 |
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| close = |
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| owner = The Folkestone Estate (formerly the Radnor Estate) |
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| operator = Folkestone Leas Lift Company |
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| character = |
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| depot = |
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| stock = |
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| linelength = <!--{{convert|191|m}}--> |
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| tracklength = |
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| gauge = <!--{{RailGauge|1300mm}}--> |
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| minradius = |
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| maxincline = <!--67%--> |
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| racksystem = |
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| speed = |
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| elevation = |
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| map = |
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}} |
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The '''Leas Lift''' is a [[grade II* listed]] [[funicular railway]] that carries passengers between the seafront and the promenade in [[Folkestone]], Kent. Originally installed in 1885, it is one of the oldest [[Water counterbalace propulsion|water lifts]] in the UK.<ref name=BBC-News>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-10758519|work=[[BBC News]]|title=Coastal water lift on Folkestone cliffs reopened|date=26 July 2010|accessdate=25 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-175454-the-leas-lift-including-waiting-rooms-br|work=British Listed Buildings|title=The Leas Lift, Including Waiting Rooms, Brake Houses and Railings, Folkestone|accessdate=22 December 2013}}</ref> |
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The lift operates using water and gravity and is controlled from a small cabin at the top of the cliff.<ref>[http://www.leasliftfolkestone.co.uk/index.php?page=functionality How the Lift Works], The Folkestone Leas Lift Community Interest Company {{ |
The lift operates using water and gravity and is controlled from a small cabin at the top of the cliff.<ref>[http://www.leasliftfolkestone.co.uk/index.php?page=functionality How the Lift Works], The Folkestone Leas Lift Community Interest Company {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110127195512/http://www.leasliftfolkestone.co.uk/index.php?page=functionality |date=27 January 2011 }}</ref> It has carried more than 36.4 million people since it opened,<ref>[http://www.grand-uk.com/Leaslift.html Folkestone’s Leas Lifts] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723212700/http://www.grand-uk.com/Leaslift.html |date=23 July 2011 }}, The Grand</ref> in a process that is especially energy efficient. The lift has a very small [[carbon footprint]], as it emits no pollution and recycles all of the water used to drive the cars.<ref name="leasliftfolkestone.co.uk">[http://www.leasliftfolkestone.co.uk/ The Folkestone Leas Lift Community Interest Company] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110618164554/http://www.leasliftfolkestone.co.uk/ |date=18 June 2011 }}</ref> |
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On June 1991, |
On June 1991, the lift was seen in an episode of ''[[The Darling Buds of May (TV series)|The Darling Buds of May]]''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Taylor |first=Alan F. |year=2002 |title=Folkestone Past and Present |pages=22–24 |location=Somerset |publisher=Breedon Books |isbn=1859832962}}</ref> |
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In June 2009, |
In June 2009, [[Folkestone and Hythe (District)|Folkestone and Hythe]] District Council’s lease ran out and it was decided that the lift was too expensive to run.<ref name="BBC-News"/> Campaigners subsequently protested against the closure of the lift and in April 2010, it was announced that the lift was to be restored.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/8604318.stm|work=BBC News|title=Coastal water lift on Folkestone cliffs to be restored|date=6 April 2010|accessdate=25 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.localrags.co.uk/index.php/News/2011/3/21/Restored-Folkestone-Step-Lift-Carriage-comes-home-Photos|work=Hawkinge Gazette|title=Restored Folkestone Step Lift Carriage comes home (Photos)|date=21 March 2011|accessdate=25 February 2020}}</ref> |
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==Restoration works== |
==Restoration works== |
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{{refimprove section|date=February 2020}} |
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[ |
[https://crofton.consulting/ Crofton Consulting] was appointed as lead consultant to provide structural engineering design for the restoration.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Leas Lift|url=https://crofton.consulting/case-study/leas-lift/|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|work=Crofton Consulting}}</ref> Crofton won the Building Structures award at the [[Association for Consultancy and Engineering|ACE]] Engineering Excellence Awards in May 2011<ref>{{cite web|url=http://agreements.acenet.co.uk/ace-engineering-excellence-awards-2011-winners-announced/331/6/2/8|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328075843/http://agreements.acenet.co.uk/ace-engineering-excellence-awards-2011-winners-announced/331/6/2/8|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-03-28|work=Association for Consultancy and Engineering|title=ACE Engineering Excellence Awards 2011 winners announced}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/Engineers-uplifted-award/story-12747153-detail/story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402234433/http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/Engineers-uplifted-award/story-12747153-detail/story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-04-02|work=This Is Kent|title=Engineers uplifted by award}}</ref> and won the Restoration award at the [[Institution of Civil Engineers|ICE]] Engineering Excellence Awards in June 2011 for its work on the lift.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/engineer-crofton-scoops-another-award-for-restoration-of-leas-lift-folkestone-kent|work=The Construction Index|title=Engineer Crofton scoops another award for restoration of Leas Lift, Folkestone, Kent|date=7 July 2011|accessdate=25 February 2020}}</ref> G A Harpers was appointed as the main contractor to carry out the necessary construction work.<ref>{{Cite web|title=GA Harpers Refurbishment and Alteration Works|url=https://www.gaharpers.com/refurbishment--alteration|access-date=2020-09-29|website=harpers|language=en}}</ref> |
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The renovation involved replacing the mechanical and electrical wiring and ensuring that all necessary safety standards in the two cars, the control systems and stations, were met. There was also a focus on restoring the associated power pumps that control the lift at the top and bottom stations. |
The renovation involved replacing the mechanical and electrical wiring and ensuring that all necessary safety standards in the two cars, the control systems and stations, were met. There was also a focus on restoring the associated power pumps that control the lift at the top and bottom stations. |
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The wheel bearings on the lift cars were all found to be damaged by corrosion so the wheels were re-machined to provide the correct running profile. Additionally, the corroded steelwork support structures within the buried water storage tanks, which were leaking, were inspected and replaced.<ref> |
The wheel bearings on the lift cars were all found to be damaged by corrosion so the wheels were re-machined to provide the correct running profile. Additionally, the corroded steelwork support structures within the buried water storage tanks, which were leaking, were inspected and replaced.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/crofton-restores-grade-ii-listed-leas-lift-to-former-glory|work=The Construction Index|title=Crofton restores Grade II Listed Leas Lift to former glory|date=10 January 2011|accessdate=25 February 2020}}</ref> |
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==Present day== |
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In January 2017, the lift again closed temporarily following an HSE inspection which determined that a secondary fail-safe braking system must be installed before the lift could be re-opened. £80,000 was raised to conduct the preliminary works required to reinstate the lift, including a full engineering survey. A new charity, the [http://www.leaslift.co.uk Folkestone Leas Lift Company (FLLC) CIO] was set up and with funding from the Radnor Estate and the Roger De Haan Charitable Trust. The FLLC's aim is to raise funds to help repair the lift, and to create and implement a sustainable long-term plan for its operation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/leas-lift-folkestone-will-reopen-552944|work=Kent Live|title=Funding has been secured to carry out works and reopen the Leas Lift in Folkestone|first=Ben|last=Ashton|date=29 September 2017|accessdate=25 February 2020}}</ref> |
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{{commons category|Leas Lift}} |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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== References == |
== References == |
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<!--- See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes on how to create references using <ref></ref> tags which will then appear here automatically --> |
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{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
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==External links== |
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* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGAr6EY00JE Leas Lift, a water and gravity powered funicular railway in Folkestone] |
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*The CIC website [http://www.leaslift.co.uk www.leaslift.co.uk] |
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{{Folkestone}} |
{{Folkestone}} |
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<!--- Categories ---> |
<!--- Categories ---> |
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[[Category:Funicular railways in the United Kingdom]] |
[[Category:Funicular railways in the United Kingdom]] |
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[[Category:Folkestone]] |
[[Category:Folkestone]] |
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Latest revision as of 10:02, 8 February 2024
| Leas Lift | |
|---|---|
.JPG) | |
| Overview | |
| Owner | The Folkestone Estate (formerly the Radnor Estate) |
| Locale | Folkestone, Kent |
| Coordinates | 51°04′38″N 1°10′43″E / 51.0771°N 1.1785°E |
| Termini |
|
| Stations | 2 |
| Service | |
| Type | Funicular |
| Operator(s) | Folkestone Leas Lift Company |
| History | |
| Opened | 1885 |
The Leas Lift is a grade II* listed funicular railway that carries passengers between the seafront and the promenade in Folkestone, Kent. Originally installed in 1885, it is one of the oldest water lifts in the UK.[1][2]
The lift operates using water and gravity and is controlled from a small cabin at the top of the cliff.[3] It has carried more than 36.4 million people since it opened,[4] in a process that is especially energy efficient. The lift has a very small carbon footprint, as it emits no pollution and recycles all of the water used to drive the cars.[5]
On June 1991, the lift was seen in an episode of The Darling Buds of May.[6]
In June 2009, Folkestone and Hythe District Council’s lease ran out and it was decided that the lift was too expensive to run.[1] Campaigners subsequently protested against the closure of the lift and in April 2010, it was announced that the lift was to be restored.[7][8]
Restoration works[edit]
 | This section needs additional citations for verification. (February 2020) |
Crofton Consulting was appointed as lead consultant to provide structural engineering design for the restoration.[9] Crofton won the Building Structures award at the ACE Engineering Excellence Awards in May 2011[10][11] and won the Restoration award at the ICE Engineering Excellence Awards in June 2011 for its work on the lift.[12] G A Harpers was appointed as the main contractor to carry out the necessary construction work.[13]
The renovation involved replacing the mechanical and electrical wiring and ensuring that all necessary safety standards in the two cars, the control systems and stations, were met. There was also a focus on restoring the associated power pumps that control the lift at the top and bottom stations.
The wheel bearings on the lift cars were all found to be damaged by corrosion so the wheels were re-machined to provide the correct running profile. Additionally, the corroded steelwork support structures within the buried water storage tanks, which were leaking, were inspected and replaced.[14]
The operation of the Folkestone lift was then taken over by The Folkestone Leas Lift Community Interest Company on behalf of the community as a non-profit-making organisation. It opened the attraction as a living museum.[5]
In January 2017, the lift again closed temporarily following an HSE inspection which determined that a secondary fail-safe braking system must be installed before the lift could be re-opened. £80,000 was raised to conduct the preliminary works required to reinstate the lift, including a full engineering survey. A new charity, the Folkestone Leas Lift Company (FLLC) CIO was set up and with funding from the Radnor Estate and the Roger De Haan Charitable Trust. The FLLC's aim is to raise funds to help repair the lift, and to create and implement a sustainable long-term plan for its operation.[15]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Coastal water lift on Folkestone cliffs reopened". BBC News. 26 July 2010. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ "The Leas Lift, Including Waiting Rooms, Brake Houses and Railings, Folkestone". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
- ^ How the Lift Works, The Folkestone Leas Lift Community Interest Company Archived 27 January 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Folkestone’s Leas Lifts Archived 23 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine, The Grand
- ^ a b The Folkestone Leas Lift Community Interest Company Archived 18 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Taylor, Alan F. (2002). Folkestone Past and Present. Somerset: Breedon Books. pp. 22–24. ISBN 1859832962.
- ^ "Coastal water lift on Folkestone cliffs to be restored". BBC News. 6 April 2010. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ "Restored Folkestone Step Lift Carriage comes home (Photos)". Hawkinge Gazette. 21 March 2011. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ "Leas Lift". Crofton Consulting.
- ^ "ACE Engineering Excellence Awards 2011 winners announced". Association for Consultancy and Engineering. Archived from the original on 28 March 2012.
- ^ "Engineers uplifted by award". This Is Kent. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012.
- ^ "Engineer Crofton scoops another award for restoration of Leas Lift, Folkestone, Kent". The Construction Index. 7 July 2011. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ "GA Harpers Refurbishment and Alteration Works". harpers. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
- ^ "Crofton restores Grade II Listed Leas Lift to former glory". The Construction Index. 10 January 2011. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ Ashton, Ben (29 September 2017). "Funding has been secured to carry out works and reopen the Leas Lift in Folkestone". Kent Live. Retrieved 25 February 2020.