Having carried over 36.4 million passengers between the seafront and promenade since 1885, Leas Lift in Folkestone, Kent is an icon of local history. It’s one of the oldest water lifts in the UK, is Grade II* listed and was placed on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register in 2019.

One of only eight water balance cliff lifts in the country, it still operates using its original engineering system which includes its 1890 reciprocating pumps. It also has the only working band brake in a funicular railway worldwide. Having closed in 2016, restoration work is now set to start, with a view to reopening in 2025. With so much support and a fascinating story, we caught up with Ed Wealend, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees.