Anderton update

Work on the hydraulic cylinders of the Anderton Boat Lift will start in mid-November. The caissons will be detached from the hydraulic rams and propped up to allow the 20-year-old cylinder seals to be replaced. The ceramic rams will be re-polished and 12,000 litres of hydraulic oil will be changed. The work to ensure that the guillotine gates are safe is taking longer than anticipated, but each of the lift’s ten gates will have two new ‘fall and arrest’ safety systems installed. The new designs have been engineered, approved by English Heritage and manufactured. When all repairs have been carried out, there will be two- to four-weeks’ recommissioning and it is anticipated that the lift will re-open for boats at the end of March 2023. The lift also requires the introduction of a wireless computer control system to bring it up to current operating standards, and targeted steelwork repairs and a full repaint. CRT has applied for a £5 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and should hear whether it is successful before Christmas. If the bid succeeds, the lift will close in autumn 2024 for an 18-month programme of works, reopening again in spring 2026.

The stoppage notice is here.