The West Hill lift in Hastings now has free WiFi, joining the existing network of WiFi hotspots along the town’s seafront and from the station to the pier.

Councillor Kim Forward, lead member for tourism at Hastings Borough Council said this week that the council is proud of the WiFi network in the town, and of the 127-year-old West Hill lift, which runs through a tunnel from the seafront to Hastings Castle: “By providing WiFi in the tunnel, passengers can surf as they ride in the lift, helping them plan what else to see and do in our busy town,” she said.

“We believe this is the only funicular in the country to have WiFi installed, and certainly one of the only places where Victorian carriages enjoy 21st century connectivity. The national train operating companies may boast about WiFi being installed in their modern fleet, we’re proud to boast about it being available in some of the oldest working railway coaches in the country,” said Ms Forward.