Work Starts on Foxton Locks

Published:Wednesday 23 July 2003

Press Release NR/022 10 July 2003 IMPROVEMENT WORK STARTS AT FOXTON LOCKS British Waterways will begin constructing a new access road to Foxton Locks next month. The work is part of The Foxton Locks Partnership’s planned series of improvements to the visitor facilities at Foxton Locks - one of Leicestershire’s top visitor destinations. Over 200,000 people, both from Britain and abroad visit Foxton each year to watch boats negotiate the historic Grade II* listed double staircase of locks and to see the remains of the Foxton Inclined Plane boat lift which operated there from 1900 to 1910, now a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Planned improvements to visitor facilities at the bottom of the lock staircase include a new restaurant, pub and shop with improved access for disabled visitors. Christine Styles, British Waterways’ waterway manager, explains: “Foxton is a very special place and I’m delighted to announce we are now ready to start the first phase of our planned visitor improvements here. Over the last two years, since planning permission was granted for our development at the bottom of the locks, British Waterways has been working with the Foxton Locks Partnership and the local community to develop its vision for the site. We have lots of important elements to balance here - protecting our heritage, managing a working canal, preserving the natural environment, enhancing the experience for the thousands of visitors who travel to Foxton Locks each year as well as considering the needs of the local community. “Whilst the new road is being constructed, people will still be able to enjoy Foxton Locks, including the pub and Foxton Boat Services facilities. From October however, we will begin on the refurbishment of our buildings at the bottom of the locks so the pub and boat yard will be closed over the winter. The Foxton Canal Museum will open as usual throughout the works and we hope people will continue to visit Foxton Locks over the winter months for walking, cycling and watching boats travelling through. “We are looking forward to a grand opening of the new restaurant, pub and shop early next summer, with the new boat yard opening soon after.” These ‘first phase’ works complement The Foxton Locks Partnership’s planned improvements for the wider site. ‘Second phase’ plans include better interpretation of the remains of the Inclined Plane, with the clearance of vegetation and re-watering of sections, improving footpaths and providing more information around the site. As well as being a popular visitor destination, Foxton has a wide range of wildlife habitats, home to a variety of creatures. Second phase plans also involve the conservation and enhancement of these habitats, including installing bat and bird boxes, creating log piles for amphibians and a home for hibernating reptiles, improving wetland management and planting a variety of new trees. Earlier this year The Foxton Locks Partnership submitted a £2million bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for funding towards these ‘second phase’ improvements. If the bid is successful, funding will become available in 2004. The Foxton Locks Partnership’s longer-term vision is to restore the Foxton Inclined Plane Boat Lift. The overall cost of rebuilding the Lift is estimated at £9million. Once rebuilt, the plane will provide a unique heritage attraction in the heart of the Leicestershire countryside and is likely to attract 70,000 more visitors to Foxton each year - creating 20 new full-time jobs and injecting £1million a year into the local economy. -ends- Notes to editors - British Waterways manages a 2,000-mile network of canals and navigable rivers across Britain and works in partnership with public, private and voluntary organisations to improve the social, economic and environmental benefits of the inland waterways. To find out more about Britain’s waterways visit www.waterscape.com or www.britishwaterways.co.uk - The Waterways Trust, the national charity promoting the greater public enjoyment and awareness of the UK's waterways has launched an Appeal to raise funds for the restoration of the Foxton Inclined Plane. If you would like to make a donation to help bring this special waterway heritage site back to life, please contact the Trust on 0845 0700 710. To find out more visit www.thewaterwaystrust.co.uk - For more information about visiting Foxton Locks and other waterside locations across the country visit www.waterscape.com or contact British Waterways Customer Service Centre on 01923 201120. - The partnership behind the Foxton Inclined Plane restoration includes: The Waterways Trust; British Waterways; Foxton Inclined Plane Trust; The Inland Waterways Association; Harborough District Council; Foxton Parish Council; Leicestershire County Council; English Heritage; East Midlands Development Agency and the Old Union Canals Society. - Foxton Canal Museum is run by volunteers from the Foxton Inclined Plane Trust. For more information call 0116 279 2657 or visit www.foxcanal.freeserve.co.uk - Situated on the Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal, the Foxton Inclined Plane was originally built between 1898-1900 to replace the existing flight of 10 locks, to widen the canal, reduce the loss of water from the locks and speed up the transit of boats along the waterway. Boats entered caissons (wheeled tanks of water) measuring 80’ x 15’, which were then transported sideways on rails between the two levels of the canal – a 75 feet (22m) height difference. Both tanks moved at the same time, one descending as the other ascended. An adjacent steam engine helped to overcome friction and control movement. For a decade, the inclined plane successfully minimised water loss and reduced transit time from 70 minutes through the locks to just 12 minutes – including loading. However, the hoped for increase in traffic never materialised and, in 1910, the locks were reinstated for all traffic. In 1928, the significant elements of Foxton Inclined Plane were demolished and metal from the lift was sold for scrap. For more press information contact: Debbie Walker 01923 201349/07733 124580
Author: British Waterways enquiries.hq@britishwaterways.co.uk 01923 201349/07733		Display start: Wednesday 23 July 2003