Trams tested on fire-damaged cliff lift

Tests are taking place on a cliffside lift which was severely damaged in a fire.

Saltburn's Victorian cliffside tramway suffered extensive damage on 15 January when a blaze broke out in the electrical plant room.

It was closed for winter repairs at the time and has not been able to reopen since.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council said trams are now being tested on the lift's tracks and "work to repair the fire damage is progressing well".

The building has now had a full electrical rewire and all glazing and joinery work has been completed.

In a statement, the council said: "Some elements of the repairs are out of the council's control, including length of time it takes to manufacture and install a new control system as the previous one was badly damaged.

"Rest assured, we are doing everything we can to get this much-loved attraction back up and running as soon as possible."

The local authority said people might see trams in operation as safety checks take place before the new control system in installed.

The lift opened in 1884 and can transport more than 100,000 passengers every year when operating at capacity.

Follow BBC Tees on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].