Anderton Boat Lift opens in April

AFTER being closed since last July the Anderton Boat Lift is scheduled to reopen in April.

With just one of the two caissons operating Canal & River Trust confirm the boat lift will reopen on Friday 7th April in time for Easter, Keith Gudgin reports.

Of the work the trust indulges in some self-praise, it telling:

Significant challenges

'Over the many months that the Anderton Boat Lift has been out of service we have experienced and overcome some very significant challenges but works have continued to progress well. As we enter the recalibrating phase and carry out the safety testing, we are now in a position to confirm we will be open with one caisson from the Easter Weekend from Friday 7th April as planned.

Working with a unique structure that has undergone works never before attempted, as well as being out of operation for a long period of time, we will be operating on a reduced schedule for the first two weeks. This is effectively a recommissioning period that we want to make available to boating customers in time for the Easter holidays, also being aware that the Lift has been unavailable and under repair for such a prolonged period of time. This period will allow our customers to plan ahead and use the Lift, as well as guarantee passage should we incur any unscheduled breakdowns, possibly with some delays'.

The image above shows one of the rams that has been reconditioned. The one below shows the re-opening in 2002.

Passage

Passage for the first two weeks only will be available to book from Monday 3rd April.

From Monday 24th April, we the trust expect to be in a position to offer normal full passage schedule with both caissons in operation, and not expecting there will be any changes to this

Passage from Monday 24th April will be available to book from Monday 17th April, subject to the successful testing period.

All passages must be booked in advance with no bookings onsite. Booking on 0303 0404040.