Hoping to keep Foxton open

THOUGH there will be severe restrictions on the Leicester Section of the Grand Union Canal, British Waterways hope to keep Foxton Flight open for as long as possible.

From Friday (13th April) no boat movement whatsoever will be allowed between Kibworth and Aylestone, with the locks securely padlocked, for an indefinite period.

Olympic torch

But Foxton Flight will remain open as it is not only a big tourist attraction, but the Olympic torch is due to pass through on the 2nd July, so every effort will be made to keep the flight open until then.

A spokesman stated that they are getting more boats through than usual for this time of year, which of course is due to the section being closed in two days.  After then, it is expected to be reduced to very few with only the arm to Market Harborough open below the flight.

Restrictions

Should the drought continue, it is expected that the flight will have restrictions as it did last year, when there was in fact more water. The restrictions stopped all boaters using the locks except for hire boaters from Market Harborough.