Foxton improvements get underway

Leicestershire's most popular canal attraction, Foxton Locks, are to receive a long-awaited makeover. Visitor facilities are to be greatly upgraded - beginning with the construction of a new access road next month, and concluding next summer with the grand opening of a new pub and restaurant.

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. Many also explore 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.

British Waterways' Christine Styles explained: "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. We have lots of important elements to balance - protecting our heritage, managing a working canal, preserving the natural environment, and enhancing the experience for thousands of visitors, 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 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 improvements. If the bid is successful, funding will become available in 2004.

The Foxton Locks Partnership’s longer-term vision is to restore the unique Foxton Inclined Plane Boat Lift at an estimated cost of £9 million.