A YEAR of celebrations is set to begin to mark the 20th anniversary of the millennium restoration of one of Northwich's most popular and iconic landmarks.
A host of events will be taking place in 2022 at Cheshire's 'Cathedral of Canals', the Anderton Boat Lift – Britain's first boat lift.
Built in 1875 to connect the Trent and Mersey Canal with the Rover Weaver Navigation 50 feet below, the lift operated for more than 100 years before it closed down in 1983 due to safety concerns caused by extensive corrosion.
Salt chutes at Anderton Basin before the opening of the boat lift
But more than £7 million was raised to fund a major restoration in 2000 before the boat lift began operating again on March 26 two years later once the project was complete.
Ani Sutton, destinations and attractions manager with the Canal & River Trust which operates the lift, is looking forward to celebrating the milestone and revealed more refurbishment will be taking place over the next two years.
She said: “Anderton Boat Lift is truly one of the ‘wonders of the waterways’ and it is brilliant to be marking the 20th anniversary of its restoration and opening as a visitor attraction.
"Each year the lift attracts thousands of visitors to the area to marvel at the incredible structure and enjoy a trip aboard the Edwin Clark boat, named after the lift’s designer.
The trip boat, in its new Canal & River Trust blue livery, enters the lift from the River Weaver
“For 20 years, this Scheduled Monument has served us well. As people visit us over the anniversary year we hope to share with them news of a major multi-million pound refurbishment which is due to take place in the next two years.
"The black iron structure needs repainting, the control system upgrading and the hydraulic ram cylinders, which support the two caissons, potentially need remedial work.
“We are still awaiting specialist engineering reports. These will help the Trust to assess exactly what needs to be done, in the least obtrusive way.
Official opening of Anderton Boat Lift after restoration with the Army band in 2002
"However the long-term plan is to start a major upgrade and repair programme, probably in 2023, to ensure the lift continues to be in good condition to welcome boaters and visitors for many decades to come.”
Events taking place at the boat lift include winter works open days on February 26 and 27, a steam fair weekend and a 10km run in May, as well as dozens of behind-the-scenes tours and family fun activity days.
The 20th anniversary of that first boat passage will be marked on Saturday, March 26 with public celebrations on site, before regular boat trips begin again for the summer season on April 1.
For more details on events, go to canalrivertrust.org.uk.
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