New life for world famous Anderton Boat Lift

Following a flagship restoration project by British Waterways the world famous Anderton Boat Lift, near Northwich, has reopened after almost twenty years.

The impressive Victorian structure, known as the "Cathedral of the Canals" was built in 1875 and is one of the greatest monuments to Britain's last canal age.

It was designed by Edwin Clark and was a world-first, the prototype for boat lifts at Le Canal Du Centre in Belgium and Les Fontinettes in France. The Anderton Lift was built to speed up the movement of cargoes between the River Weaver and the Trent and Mersey Canal, the 50ft height difference between the two waterways was a constant problem.

Clark's solution was to use a revolutionary new system of hydraulics which could transport canal boats between the two waterways without the need of loading and unloading.

By 1904, a major overhaul was needed. The use of river water had caused serious corrosion to the Lift's hydraulics. The hydraulic rams were removed and a massive assembly of shafts, gears, weights, wheels and pulleys erected over the Lift. With the addition of an electric motor the modified Anderton Lift was completed in 1908. In 1983 the Lift was closed after serious corrosion was discovered during a routine safety inspection.

This ambitious scheme which has culminated in the reopening is due to a partnership of public, private and voluntary organisations. The Heritage Lottery Fund granted £3.3 million to the £7 million restoration.

It means that boat owners and visitors alike will be able to ride the Lift once again and a new Operations Centre now houses education and visitor facilities.

The Lift is 85ft in length and the Aqueduct 165ft in length. Each tank in the hydraulic system weighs 91 tonnes empty and 252 tonnes when full of water.

For further information on the Anderton Boat Lift, the website is: http://www.andertonboatlift.co.uk.


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