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Foxton Locks: raising funds and boats


Foxton Locks on the Grand Union Canal has been attracting crowds for a variety of reasons for almost 200 years now. Once part of a major thoroughfare for industrial Victorian Britain, today the locks are one of the most visited attractions in the East Midlands.

Foxton Locks is the meeting place of the Grand Union Canal and the Leicester Northampton Union Canal. As the Grand Union Canal is 23 metres higher than the Leicester Northampton Union Canal, a flight of 10 narrow locks was built at Foxton.

With a wait of up to five hours followed by a 45 minute physically tiring journey through the locks each boat was subject to huge delays. Drought caused significant problems with water preservation, as each boat uses 150,000 litres if water, and the locks were deemed an inefficient way to raise the boats.

Introducing the inclined plan boat lift

A better solution was needed and in 1900, the inclined plan boat lift opened and the locks were closed. Using the inclined plan boat lift, a wide boat (or barge) or a pair of narrow boats would take only 12 minutes to be transported up or down the hill and use only a fraction of the water used by the locks. It had two tanks (like giant bath tubs), which ran on rails up and down the hill. They were connected by steel cables which went round a large drum driven by a small steam engine, so that as one tank was wound up the hill the other was lowered down.

In 1909, the locks at Foxton were rebuilt so they could be used at night (when the boat lift was not operated) by Fellowes Morton and Clayton steam boats, which had started a ‘fly’ run – non-stop 24-hours a day delivery service.

Initially railways and canals co-existed; the railways concentrating on passengers and light goods and canals the bulk goods. But, by the middle of the nineteenth century, competition, and a move from coal to gas, reduced canal tolls. The inclined plane boat lift was no longer economic and was mothballed in 1911; it has not reopened yet.

Restoring the Inclined Plane Boat Lift

A group of enthusiasts, the Foxton Inclined Plane Trust, continues to work towards reinstating the inclined plane boat lift to its original working glory. Restored industrial heritage is a major visitor attraction which will ensure the ongoing viability of a working boat lift. Restoration would also have the important benefits of preserving water and enable the increasing number of boat users to pass more rapidly through this important junction.

A Foxton Locks Festival, celebrating the progress made so far and further promoting site restoration will be held over 14 -15 August. A great day out for all the family; there will be over 100 crafts stalls, refreshments, entertainment, working boats, historic vehicles and much more.

Last updated: 07/06/2010

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