We helped to save this tourist lift from closing

3:07am Tuesday 20th May 2008

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WORCESTER-based Atwell International has given a lift to one of the UK's more unusual tourist attractions.

The company, from Ball Mill at Hallow, came to the rescue of the late 19th-century South Cliff lift at Scarborough.

The lift is the oldest example of its kind in the UK and was poised for closure following a report from HM Inspectorate of Mines who deemed it unsafe. However, the combined forces of Atwell International with Cameron Design and Scarborough Lifts helped to save the lift in its dying moments.

Originally built by a Midlands-based company, the Metropolitan Carriage Company, during 1875, the funicular lift at Scarborough had been carrying thousands of tourists up and down the Scarborough cliffs for more than 100 years. However, its aged braking system was no longer suitable and it was this that Atwell International was tasked to improve.

After four years in development, Atwell developed a unique braking system that works by braking on the lift's ropes, rather than on the guide rails as seen in conventional lift braking systems. The new rope brake - VG Rope Brake - can control both overspeed and uncontrolled movement - the most common cause of accidents associate with the usage of lifts.

Russell Walker, director at Atwell International ,said: "The lift at Scarborough was the first example of its kind of how this new braking system works. After four years in development it is great to see it in situ and even better to know that we have helped save the lift from closure.

"The fact that we are a Midlands-based company working on a 100-ear old-Midlands creation makes the story even better."