A CHARITY has secured more than half a million pounds funding to repair an internationally important visitor attraction after it closed amid safety concerns.
The Canal & River Trust (C&RT) has been awarded a £574,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for a major repair and refurbishment project at Anderton Boat Lift, Cheshire’s ‘Cathedral of Canals’, near Northwich.
The Scheduled Historic Monument, which each year carries around 3,000 boats between the Trent & Mersey Canal and the River Weaver Navigation, closed in early August following concerns about its safety.
This funding will allow C&RT to carry out essential repairs to the Victorian boat lift to secure its long-term future, though some of the money will be used to prepare a detailed plan to update the popular visitor centre and extend a community outreach programme.
Daniel Greenhalgh, Canal & River Trust North West director, said: “We are grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for allowing us to take a first vital step in securing the future of this unique boat lift, one of the seven wonders of the waterways.
“Since the Anderton Boat Lift reopened as a major visitor attraction in 2002, it has become a firm favourite on the tourist trail, as well as bringing a significant boost for the local economy.
“The essential repair and upgrade work is critically important to maintaining the lift as an operational structure.”
Over the next 14 months, CR&T will be developing a comprehensive plan for ‘Engineering the Future’, which will includes applying for more funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund towards the entire £13.4 million project.
If the bid is successful, the plan will be to start an 18-month programme of works at the end of the 2024 boating season.
Daniel added: “Constructed in 1875, it holds a unique place in waterway history as the world’s first commercially-operated boat lift and our mission is to ensure that it continues to delight and engage future generations.”
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