STABILISATION work along Bournemouth’s cliffs needs to be completed before a decision on a lift is made.
East Cliff’s historic lift, built in 1908, has been out of action since a landslip in 2016 caused tonnes of rubble to plunge 100ft onto the promenade.
But since last summer BCP Council has been doing assessments on the delicate cliff to work out what can be done to make it safe.
Cabinet member for the environment Andy Hadley said £4.3m in government Levelling Up money will contribute to cliff stabilisation works.
This, he said, will ensure the cliff face is “secure and the area at the toe of the cliff can be utilised”.
The Levelling Up money is part of a £20million government grant to improve the seafront of Bournemouth and Poole.
On East Cliff lift, Cllr Hadley said: “Initial assessments have now been completed and the team are working to commission the detailed stabilisation design and demolition reports.
“Moving forward, once stabilisation works are complete, we will be working with partners to discuss how the recovered area can be best used, and at this stage the feasibility of replacing the cliff lift can be discussed."
However since 2016’s collapse there has been one significant change on East Cliff: it has become home to a herd of goats.
They were placed on the cliff as “an opportunity to restore and enhance the special natural features of the cliffs in a sustainable way”.
Deputy council leader Millie Earl added the money will help the council in its “ambitions to unlock the region’s full potential and encourage investment in the future”.
She said: “The Levelling Up Fund is investing £19.9 million in 11 valuable infrastructure projects across BCP’s seafront, helping to further develop our area and maintain its status as an outstanding seaside resort.
“This will help create of jobs and will attract new business and investment through restoring and developing derelict sites.
“Work to create a new Lifeguards Community Hub is already underway at the foot of West Cliff, while restoration works for much-loved Bournemouth Pier are currently in their design phase.
“Stabilisation works on East Cliff will help attract commercial investment and new leisure facilities; upgrades to Hamworthy Sea Wall will shore up Poole’s sea defences; and additional upgrades to seafront conveniences, utilities and CCTV cameras will directly benefit residents, visitors and businesses.”
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