In a cable lift, with a single compartment or shaft (1) for housing a movable cage (2) and an apparatus (3), comprising at least one fixed winch (4) and a counterweight (5), for displacement of the cage (2), the counterweight (5) performs travel movements shorter than those of the cage (2) so that a part (1a) of the shaft (1) is always free to house the winch (4) therein. The latter, in particular, comprises a traction pulley (4c) with its axis (4a) parallel to a wall (1b) of the shaft (1), next to which it is arranged.