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‘When is work going to start on the restoration?’

The big question we get asked all the time is ‘When is work going to start on the restoration?’.

There’s always a lot going on behind the scenes so to understand more, we sat down with Luke Brown, project manager at AtkinsRéalis and Jo Streeter, chair of the Leas Lift Build Committee.

Can you summarise the work we’re likely to see in the coming year?  

Luke: 2025 will be a key year in the redevelopment of the Leas Lift. Late last year we appointed Apex Contractors as our main contractor to undertake some final surveys and investigations. They are also ensuring all license applications and approvals are in place. We are expecting hoardings around the site and works to begin in spring.

In terms of sequencing, there will be an overlap between elements of work but broadly the programme will begin with the soil nailing to the cliff to form the new site for the café extension.

Jo: We need to restore the tracks, water tanks and carriages, replace the Sheave Wheel and make the braking system safer, as well as restoring the Victorian buildings.

An extension to the café will be built. This will allow for the Leas Lift café to operate on a larger scale which adds to the financial viability and long-term success of the lift.

In late February, we’ll be lifting the carriages off the tracks so they can be restored. Following that, key works include excavating the cliff and using a soil nailing technique to enable the groundworks to build the extension.

To make the lift more accessible, we are developing the Upper and Lower stations.

At the Upper station, we need to expose the water tanks under the Leas to repair them so that the water balanced lift can continue to operate.

We will also be making changes to the Upper station layout, to make it more accessible for all and more visible – including exposing the Sheave wheel, which is crucial to the operation of the Lift.

The Lower Station original Victorian building will be restored and enhanced to provide a waiting space where you can learn about the history of the lift, and see the Victorian water pumps working and get more visibility of the lift carriages themselves.

Can you explain your role in getting this huge capital project on the road?

Jo: I’m a trustee of the Leas Lift CIO, and have been involved in the project since 2018. The Board of Trustees is split into committees, and I am the chair of the Build Committee.

I work very closely with Luke and those trustees who have experience of build projects and engineering. Now we are in the delivery phase of the project, responsibilities have included evaluating the main contractor tenders.

Luke: I was appointed in January 2022 by the charity to form the consultant team to deliver the project. I competitively tendered all disciplines, and we began RIBA Stage 2 design works thereafter. I have led the design team through the RIBA plan of work stages, listed consents and planning submittals.

As the Lift is so unique, there have also been a significant number of surveys and investigations to undertake during the design phase to understand the condition of the site.

Last year we tendered for a main contractor and received several competitive returns from the local market. Now we have appointed Apex Contractors, I will become the contract administrator when the project moves to the construction phase.

Before the start of work on site, we know an enormous amount has been undertaken behind the scenes. Can you tell us a bit more about that?

Jo: This project is so much more than just getting the Lift going again. To ensure it re-opens and stays open, it needs more to sustain it. Therefore, we needed feasibility studies, investigations, surveys, designs, budgets and a business plan.

This led to a funding plan and applying to the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Following an initial successful bid, and following their framework, during the development phase we tendered for the key roles in our design team. This included a project manager, architect, quantity surveyor, mechanical and engineering, structural and civil engineers, and Lift specialists. This enabled the plans to be developed and planning permission to be submitted.

With match funding from other funders, companies, trusts and the local community, and the successful round 2 bid with the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we moved into the delivery phase. This meant we could progress with detailed technical designs, undertake more intrusive surveys and investigations and tender the main construction contract.

This is a short summary of the huge amount of work that has been undertaken, and it unfortunately all takes time. As trustees, we have a duty to make this work and ensure the Leas Lift continues to operate successfully and benefit the community for many years.

It’s a complex project involving complicated groundworks, structural engineering, heritage restoration of a Grade II* listed Victorian building and lift. We work closely with Historic England, conservation officers, and many other specialists so that we get this right and protect this historic Folkestone gem.

Luke: I think Jo has summed up the work well!

I would just add that due to the uniqueness of the Lift, most elements and components are bespoke. Since the Lift’s closure, surveys have been undertaken to understand its condition. However, certain elements such as the Sheave Wheel required lengthy listed building consent approvals as well as offsite testing to understand what could be reused and what required replacement.

The water tanks too are a good example of a significant programme of work to understand their condition. As the water tanks were full, the contents needed to be tested for bacteria, pumps recommissioned and run, tanks emptied, and roads closed to enable a specialist team to enter the tanks to provide a survey. Fortunately, we have an expert team of engineers who have worked across other funiculars and understand the Lift due to previous involvement. This input has been invaluable in developing the design and scope for the Leas Lift.

As the Lift is grade II* listed, the repairs of existing buildings need to be sympathetic to the original construction. We have appointed specialist heritage architects to ensure repair methodologies not only are agreeable in listed terms but are also robust enough to stand up to the coastal weathering. All repair approaches and strategies also require consents from Historic England and these were approved as part of planning submittals.

Another complication is the location of the site. As the lift is inset into the cliff, the café extension is complicated – civils works need to be performed to create the new site.

What have you found the most challenging and most exhilarating part of your involvement with the Lift so far?

Jo: The most exhilarating was the news that we had been successful in achieving the required funding to make this project work. Credit to the various trustees directly involved in that.

The most challenging moment (and there have been a few!) was evaluating the main contractor tenders. With other committees having secured funds, the Build Committee has a responsibility to ensure the main chunk of these are spent well on the capital build works.

We were fortunate to have had four excellent tenders for completing the works but as the project is complex, there were varying solutions, approaches and costs which meant evaluation was not straightforward.

But, appointing our main contractor, Apex Contractors Ltd, was a huge milestone. The next stages in the project are critical and incredibly exciting.

Luke: The most challenging aspects of the project are what make it the most rewarding. I have delivered several new builds and extensions across sectors and values, all of which have their challenges. However, the Leas Lift is totally unique!

Understanding the building and engineering aspects has been a challenge. As I mentioned with the water tanks and sheave wheel, there were lengthy programmes attached to purely surveying the components to understand their condition. Once understood, designs could be progressed and we could get to grips with the costs.

Another challenge has been managing the programme. We are balancing the need for cost certainty and risk mitigation and whilst we all want to see the Lift open as soon as possible, planning consents, funder approvals, legal agreements and licenses must all be navigated before a start can be made.

The most rewarding part of the project to date was to receive four competitive tenders back within a close financial spread. To receive four viable tenders for such a unique project is testament to how much hard work was put in by the team prior to tender release and throughout the design phase.

The Lift must take over your life at times. How do family and friends respond to this new presence in your life?

Jo: Yes, it does do that! Fortunately, I have great support from my family and friends as many of us have lived and worked in the area and fondly remember using the lift. I’m excited for the younger generations in the family to experience this for the first time.

Luke:  I get asked about it all the time and enjoy talking about it. I live locally to Folkestone and love being involved in such an important part of the town’s heritage. I can’t wait to take my first ride on the lift with my young daughter.

What do you want the Lift to be in 10 years’ time?

Jo: A key community hub, transporting and educating the local community,  visitors and tourists. And it will be a great venue!

Luke: I want the café and Lift to be an essential part of the town’s infrastructure and a space where people can go to understand the Victorian engineering.

The Lift will be so important to so many in accessing the seafront. I hope in 10 years’ time, many more people will be able to more easily access areas of Folkestone which they may not be able to at the moment.

The Leas Lift team would like to say a huge thank you to Luke and Jo for all the hard work that has been put into the project to date. We’ll be posting updates as work continues on site so please check back regularly.

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