00:00One year ago Folkestone said goodbye to the Lees lift carriages and now they're back restored to a higher standard
00:08with more durability and accessibility too.
00:12It's been a 10 year journey to get to this critical point of the restoration and the team here say
00:17there's been lots to factor in.
00:19It's a project that's got multiple layers to it. So you've got the lift engineering works, you've got the restoration
00:25as I say of the grey two star listed buildings.
00:28You've got, we're sort of creating new accessible ramps and platforms so it's accessible to everybody.
00:34Without access to the Lees lifts you'll have to use one of the staircases like the one behind me to
00:40get up to the top of the cliff.
00:42So what do people make of the new lifts?
00:45It's great, like it's like an icon in the town so it should be working shouldn't it?
00:51So it'll be the first time since I've been living here that it's been working so I'm excited to be
00:55able to come with it.
00:55Oh it's great, I mean it's such a good access now to the beach when that's over in the Lees.
01:01So yeah, they're really looking forward to it.
01:03Well I'm very excited about it, I think it's a great shame to have lost something like this and to
01:08have it going back again.
01:09I think it's great for Folkestone and it's just a great thing to have so I'm very happy about it.
01:14But this restoration hasn't been without its challenges.
01:18The grey two listed site has had to have its structure modernised all whilst dealing with a tricky cliff face.
01:26There's been a number of challenges on this project.
01:28We've had some structural difficulties because you don't know what you're doing and to uncover some things.
01:34There's also, we've done some soil nailing on the bank which has been difficult.
01:38It's a challenge but it's not anything that we're at with some usual as well.
01:42Once the lift is up and running it will be one of only three remaining water balance lifts in the
01:48country.
01:49Joe said having the lifts restored is a huge step towards the end goal.
01:53Milestones like this are what keep you going.
01:58There's lots of work that happens but having the carriages back on the track is great.
02:03It's really visible for the community who are really keen for the lift to get going again.
02:08So yeah, it's really good.
02:10With the lifts now restored, the long wait for the funiculars reopening in spring next year is nearly over.
02:16Justine Lata for KMTV in Folkestone.
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