"Hastings West Hill Lift Restoration & Improvement Feasibility Project" (360G-NLHF-HA-24-00938)

"The Hastings West Hill Funicular Railway (‘Lift’) serves as a heritage experience and transportation link, attracting up to 100,000 visitors per year and connecting Hastings Old Town and the seafront with Hastings Castle and the West Hill. By undertaking this project, a comprehensive assessment of the current condition and long-term maintenance requirements of the lift, tunnel, stations, carriages and surrounding area will be conducted. This project will provide crucial insight into the condition of the asset and produce feasibility reports and designs to develop a strategy to ensure it remains a functional and an integral part of the heritage site. The project will be aligned with the £3m Town Deal Castle and West Hill Café Project; a redevelopment of the Café above the lift, and improved access to the Castle. The two projects together have the potential to create a pioneering and pivotal heritage focus and attraction for the town."