"Restoring Hastings West Hill Funicular" (360G-NLHF-HZ-25-00252)

"The Hastings West Hill Funicular Restoration will secure the long-term future of the Grade II listed Lift and reintroduce it as an inclusive, welcoming gateway to the West Hill. The project will conserve historic fabric while unlocking the site’s full potential through fully accessible carriages, step free routes, intuitive wayfinding and improved visitor facilities. Reliability upgrades will protect a vital public transport link between the Old Town, seafront and West Hill’s heritage landscape, supporting active and sustainable travel and widening participation for families, older people and people with additional access requirements. Stronger physical and interpretive connections to Hastings Castle and the planned West Hill Café and Visitor Centre will create a coherent, high-quality heritage experience that encourages exploration, understanding, and longer dwell times. By improving access, safeguarding heritage and strengthening operational resilience, the project will support the long-term transformation of Hastings into a unified, resilient heritage destination, accessible year-round for residents and visitors."