Overview

• Anglo American held a “very positive” discussion with North Yorkshire Council and formally offered its engineers to assess water ingress and explore remedial options
• Karl Battersby, the council’s environment director, said restoration is feasible but would incur significant cost and face persistent water and ventilation challenges
• North Yorkshire Council previously proposed infilling the 1931 lift shaft at an estimated £600,000 and running a replacement summer bus service pending consultation
• Local campaigners have amassed over 5,400 petition signatures demanding a formal public consultation on the proposed infilling
• No formal consultation on the shaft infilling has been announced and councillors say the final decision on the lift’s future remains pending