FURTHER safety improvements to one the region’s best-loved tourist attractions are due to take place throughout next week.

Saltburn’s Cliff Tramway, which was opened to the public in 1884, will close for one week from Monday to install a new hydraulic pump and to carry out its twice-yearly lifting operations and lifting equipment regulations inspection.

The new hydraulic pump will be an improvement to the existing manual safety system to the benefit of the visitors and reduce outage times for scheduled maintenance.

Councillor Wayne Davies Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic development, said: “Our famous tramway has been in operation since 1884, so every now and then it needs some tender loving care.

“Keeping a Victorian antique vehicle in working order is a big task. We’d rather not close it but it is essential it is shut temporarily to adhere to regulation changes and to maintain safety standards which can’t be compromised.

“We’ve planned this short closure to take place after the school holidays to minimise disruption to people enjoying a day at Saltburn beach.”

The pump will be fitted between Monday, September 9 and Wednesday 11 and testing and inspections are scheduled to take place on Thursday and Friday of the same week.