The project.
The Leas Lift is one of Folkestone’s most cherished landmarks — a Grade II* listed, water-balanced funicular railway that has carried people between the clifftop and the beach since 1885. After closing in 2017, the Lift faced an uncertain future. A £6.6 million restoration programme, led by Folkestone Leas Lift Company CIO and supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, is now bringing this remarkable piece of Victorian engineering back to life.
The aim of the restoration is clear: return the Lift to full working order while preserving its original character. This includes carefully restoring the timber carriages, cast-iron mechanisms and the historic pump house that drives the water-balance system — one of only a handful still surviving in the UK. Alongside this heritage work, the project is creating modern amenities such as a new café, visitor centre and refurbished waiting rooms, ensuring the Lift becomes a vibrant community asset once again.
Challenges.
Working with a 140-year-old railway has brought both excitement and complexity. Decades of exposure had taken their toll on the metalwork, tracks and braking systems. Listed-building constraints meant every intervention required sensitivity and precision. And as with all heritage projects, many conditions only became clear once work began, demanding flexible planning and careful control of risk and cost.
Our approach.
Our team supported the project with clear, proactive cost management throughout design and restoration. By working closely with the architects, engineers and heritage specialists, we helped the client balance ambition with feasibility — ensuring the conservation work, new facilities and long-term operational needs could be delivered within budget. Regular reviews, early investigations and collaborative decision-making helped the team navigate the uncertainties inherent in bringing a Victorian structure up to modern standards.
Impact.
When the Lift reopens in 2026, it will offer far more than a short journey between the clifftop and the shore. It will provide step-free, sustainable access powered by its original low-carbon water-balance system. It will house new community spaces, places to meet, and opportunities to learn about local history. And it will restore a beloved piece of Folkestone’s identity — a symbol of heritage, regeneration and community effort.
b&m is proud to contribute to the revival of this much-loved landmark, ensuring it continues to serve and inspire the town for generations to come.
