The team behind a £6.6 million restoration of a historic cliffside lift has reassured residents the project is still on track to be completed next year.

Extensive plans are in the pipeline for the Grade II-listed Leas Lift in Folkestone, which for more than 100 years carried passengers between the promenade and seafront before shutting in 2017.

Funding was secured to reopen the funicular railway in 2025, but with no activity seen on the site concerns have been raised about how achievable that timeline is.

However, the Folkestone Leas Lift Company Charity, which is leading the project, says there is a lot going on behind the scenes, with work on the lift set to start this summer.

The charity’s chair, Cathy Beare, said: “Since we began the journey to restore and reopen the lift in 2018, our board of trustees and a team of paid consultants have been working extremely hard to make that happen.

“Although you might not always be able to see work happening on-site, I can assure the local community that plenty is happening behind the scenes.

“This is an extremely sensitive site and an important heritage asset, so we have a duty to get the restoration right.

“Numerous surveys have been undertaken, and we expect to have the main contractor on site in summer 2024. We aim to reopen the lift as early as possible in the summer of 2025.”

The Leas Lift was built in 1885 but was forced to shut seven years ago because of problems with its braking system.

It has since degraded further, and in 2019 was placed on the heritage at-risk register by Historic England.

The majority of the money for its restoration and reopening has come from a £4.8 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The project will also see the cliffside railway’s waiting room renovated and a new building constructed to house a modern cafe with an outdoor terrace.

Elizabeth Parker, 75, who visited Folkestone on Monday, says the town will benefit from seeing the lift back up and running.

“I had to use the path to get down to the harbour, and it was actually quite perilous,” she said.

“The lift is definitely something I would have used had it been open.

“I think it would be a real asset to the town if they were able to get it done, especially if it was affordable for everyone to use. It really needs to be done.”

Jackie, 71, from Sittingbourne, added: “I lived here as a teenager and I was devastated to see it closed when I returned.

“It’s a piece of history. They’ve got the money now, so they should pull their fingers out and do it.”

Alternative routes between The Leas and seafront have been blighted by separate issues in recent months.

Work started last week on clearing tonnes of debris from the Road of Remembrance, which has been blocked off since a number of landslides earlier this year.

Kent County Council previously stated the route will remain closed for public safety until further notice.

The Zig Zag path, a walkway linking The Leas and the Lower Leas Coastal Park, was also shut off on Tuesday to allow for three large trees to be removed.

Residents had previously raised fears about the height and weight of several trees along the route and the potential damage they could cause if they collapsed.

The Folkestone Leas Lift Company Charity is holding two free events this week at Folkestone Museum.

The first is a community memory café between 10am and 1pm on Friday, with a family activity day planned for Saturday.

Ms Beare said: “Sessions occur between 10am and 12pm and 1.30pm and 3.30pm.

“People are welcome to drop in for as long as they like to learn about the lift's history, heritage and restoration.”