THE EXTENSIVE RESTORATION work on Anderton Boat Lift has been paused as it is 'unaffordable'.
So Canal & River Trust confirm that the lift will not open next year, 2026.
No work undertaken
With Jon Horsfall, the regional director, explaining:
"No work will be undertaken, whilst pausing the additional spend elsewhere at the lift which is currently unaffordable. In doing so, we are making sure that the limited money our charity has stretches as far as possible so that there is adequate investment in other key areas for navigation including locks, bridges, aqueducts and the network as a whole."
We are informed the programme of works at Anderton Boat Lift is set to be prioritised during the year ahead to see it back open and operational for boaters in the summer of 2007, with John Horsfall adding:
"There is a much larger project at the Anderton site, that would require additional and currently unaffordable capital expenditure from the trust as well as the submission of a successful bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, that is being paused. This means we are prioritising the investment needed for navigation but deferring the painting of the lift’s three storey high iron superstructure together with investment in the attraction’s Visitor Centre."
Detailed design
The trust has already commissioned the detailed design of new gate lifting equipment to replace the wire rope system. The installation will happen over the winter of 2026/27 with one caisson being opened in time for the summer season in 2027 and the other caisson also opening as soon as possible after that.
The works are complicated and time consuming it is told, they will see a new lifting mechanism installed on ten separate gates, replacing the current ropes, wires and pulleys. The new system will be robust, future proof, safe to operate and safer to maintain.
The Anderton Boat Lift Visitor Centre and coffee shop (pictured) are open every weekend from 10am until 4pm throughout the winter season, with free drop-in craft activities running this December.
There are the popular Santa Cruises for songs and stories with Santa and his elves on the trip boat along the Weaver.