This Is Shepway Report: Folkestone Leas Lift protest draws crowds

6.32.00pm GMT Fri 27th Mar 2009

"Save the Leas Lift" campaign poster and demonstrators

From www.thisiskent.co.uk : Scores of people braved the cold weather to protest today against the closure of a popular Folkestone tourist attraction. Crowds gathered on the Leas to protest against the closure of the Leas Lift, a water lift built in the late 1800s.

Shepway District Council made the decision to close the attraction because of the financial losses it makes each year, but residents in the district believe the closure will be a loss to Folkestone.

Liberal Democrat leader Lynne Beaumont, who helped organise the protest, said:

"It's a fantastic turnout, considering we only decided to do this four days ago. People decided to stand up and be counted and I think everyone should be really proud.

"The council didn't stop to think about the decision to close the lift. They were wrong and sometimes when you're wrong you have admit it."

The decision to close the lift has been called in to the council's scrutiny committee, which will meet next week to discuss the issue.