The Anderton Boat Lift is reopening this Easter after a £450,000 emergency repair.
The iconic structure, dubbed the ‘Cathedral of the Canals’ will reopen on Good Friday for boat trips heading down the River Weaver to Northwich.
The boat lift is managed by the Canal and River Trust, and has been closed for seven months while essential maintenance has been carried out.
Over the winter, engineers have been working hard on the repairs to meet the Easter deadline for reopening.
The lift’s two giant hydraulic ram cylinders, which support the metal tank caissons, have been given a much-needed overhaul and new gate safety systems have been installed in each of the the five sets of gates.
On Friday 7th April, the waterways charity will be operating public cruises again aboard the Edwin Clark trip boat.
The Anderton Boat Lift is the world’s first major commercial boat lift – with trips running through the lift four times a day (10am, 11.15am, 1.30pm and 3pm).
The Easter weekend also heralds the start of an exciting new season for the Anderton Boat Lift visitor centre.
Over the bank holiday, chocolate treats will be on offer for children taking part in a spring treasure hunt – and for motor enthusiasts there will be classic car shows on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.
Visitor centre manager Phil Gibson said: “We are looking forward to a fantastic 2023 season, with some great special events in the pipeline, including a special Steam Festival over the Coronation weekend.
“It is brilliant to have the boat lift operational again after it had to be shut unexpectedly last August due to a problem with one of the gate safety mechanisms.
“Riding through the Victorian boat lift gives visitors a special thrill and a unique sense of the rich waterway history of the area.
“It will be wonderful to see it working again, transporting boats between the Trent & Mersey Canal and the River Weaver Navigation, as it has done since 1875.”
