WITH THE ANDERTON BOAT LIFT likely being closed this and next year, a plan to relieve it has been suggested.
This is an inclined plane joining the Weaver Navigation with the Shropshire Union Canal, Janet Friend reports.
Ailing Anderton Boat Lift
The River Weaver Navigation Society have proposed an ambitious engineering project to take pressure of the ailing Anderton Boat Lift and create an inclined place between Winsford Bottom Flash and the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal.
Thus creating another Cheshire Ring cruising route, the society believe,
Inclined planes—there was once one at Foxton—to transport boats in caissons, that are water tight, up and down a slopped incline, thus dispensing with a flight of locks. The picture shows the remains of the inclined plane at Foxton.
Suggested to 2009
Such an inclined plane connecting the two navigations was suggested in 2009 in the Jacob's Report that looked at various benefits to the waterways.
The society believe the project is possible and would create a through route at the southern end of the navigable Weaver and would created a second Cheshire Ring.