Fisherman's Walk cliff lift on track for summer return

Problems with the Fisherman’s Walk lift down to the beach were discovered last year.

BCP Council contracted a programme of works on the Southbourne service throughout the winter but a possible return at Easter came and went.

While these repairs involving the chassis of the lift are ongoing, the local authority has launched another tender to find a supplier to replace the controller and all the specified auxiliary equipment.

These further works are budgeted to cost between £90,000 and £110,000. They are scheduled to take place from winter.

Providing an update on the situation, a BCP Council spokesperson said: “Phased works are ongoing to update and upgrade the cliff lift at the Fisherman’s Walk site.

“During the winter months, the lift was decorated internally and at present, we are installing a new chassis which carries the lift cabs.

“We are hoping to have these works completed by the end of May 2023 dependant on materials and construction constraints. A second chassis will be taken away for renewal at the end of this week.

“This is an ongoing project and work will continue during the winter shutdown which starts October 31, 2023.”

The Fisherman’s Walk cliff lift is one of two in Bournemouth run by the council along with one on the West Cliff. They are usually open from Easter until the end of October subject to the weather.

The facility on the East Cliff closed following a large landslide in 2016 and never returned to use.

Concerns from residents over the condition of the Fisherman’s Walk lift were raised by Boscombe councillor George Farquhar at a meeting in December.

Cllr Farquhar said failure to ensure the service is operational could leave people with accessibility needs with no way of getting to the beach.

Then portfolio holder for environment and place Cllr Mark Anderson said the cliff lifts were an historic part of the seafront and there were no plans to close the facility permanently.