Scaffolding to remain on funicular railway lift

Councillors have agreed to allow the continued use of temporary scaffolding for structural support on an East Sussex funicular railway.

Hastings Borough Council approved an application to keep scaffolding supporting the roof of the West Hill Lift's Old Motor Room, which sits within the funicular railway's upper terminus.

The local authority's application said the structure is already in place and had been intended to extend it by five years.

It added that the cafe building above was due to be redeveloped as part of the Town Deal project.

Labour councillor Judy Rogers said this redevelopment project could offer a more permanent solution.

"I'm hoping we won't need to renew this for a further five years, because this will form part of all the plans for the refurbishment of the West Hill Cafe and the castle area," she was quoted as saying by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

According to a council report, the application had initially sought permission to retain the scaffolding "indefinitely", but the time limit was added following a request from the council's conservation officer.

The cliff railway is more than 130 years old and takes passengers from George Street in Hastings Old Town to the top of the West Hill.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook,X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.