Updates
28/03/2025 16:59
Following our last update, specialist engineers are continuing to progress the necessary works on the Anderton Boat Lift to ensure its safe operation. As part of this, a full design review of the entire lifting system—which operates the vertical rise gates forming part of the two caisson lifts—is being carried out. We can now confirm that the works required will take a number of months and that consequently and sadly it will remain out of service for the Summer. We appreciate this will be disappointing for those who had already planned to, or were planning to visit the boat lift this year. We will continue to provide regular updates while we work to bring this vital historic structure back into operation.
For those looking to visit the Weaver or our other waterways, passage via Marsh Lock and the Manchester Ship Canal remains available. To support boaters unfamiliar with this route, we're hosting a Manchester Ship Canal Information Day on May 16 at the Anderton Boat Lift. This event will provide guidance on navigating the canal, booking requirements, and what to expect. You can find more details and register here. If any local boat clubs would like to discuss holding a similar event over the summer, please get in touch.
Details and bookings can be found on our Manchester Ship Canal (Ellesmere Port & Marsh Lock) Bookings page or by contacting our North West customer service team on 0303 0404 040
If it's your first time traveling on the Manchester Ship Canal, or just want a reminder, you can find out some very useful information Manchester Ship Canal | Discover the River Weaver Navigation.
Our next update will be provided on or before 25th April.
14/03/2025 16:10
The engineering investigations at Anderton Boat Lift have confirmed that additional works to the gate operating mechanism are required for safe operation of the lift.
Specialist engineers are urgently progressing with the works required and developing the programme to undertake the repairs needed to re-open the lift.
We apologise for the inconvenience and for being unable to give a clear timescale for reopening at this stage. Sadly, the lift is unlikely to be open for the Easter holiday.
We will provide a further update on or before the 28th of March.
For customers planning upcoming travel on our other waterways, alternative routes are available via Marsh Lock and along the Manchester Ship Canal. Details and bookings can be found on our Manchester Ship Canal (Ellesmere Port & Marsh Lock) Bookings page or by contacting our North West customer service team on 0303 0404 040
If it's your first time travelling on the Manchester Ship Canal, or just want a reminder, you can find out some very useful information Manchester Ship Canal | Discover the River Weaver Navigation"
28/02/2025 11:16
Investigations at the Anderton Boat Lift are progressing well, with specialist engineers continuing their detailed assessment in accordance with statutory requirements. These investigations are essential in determining the next steps needed before reopening can proceed.
We expect to provide a more detailed timeline in our next update on 14 March 2025.
For customers planning upcoming travel on our other waterways, alternative routes are available via Marsh Lock and along the Manchester Ship Canal. Details and bookings can be found on our Manchester Ship Canal (Ellesmere Port & Marsh Lock) Bookings page or by contacting our North West customer service team on 0303 0404 040
If it's your first time traveling on the Manchester Ship Canal, or just want a reminder, you can find out some very useful information Manchester Ship Canal | Discover the River Weaver Navigation
07/02/2025 11:27
The nature of the current challenges and consequential closure of Anderton boat lift require an investigation which has statutory requirements. The detailed assessment requires investigation and evaluation by specialist engineers and will take approximately a further 6 weeks. These vital investigations are required to identify the repair and refurbishment requirements before we can complete the work required to reopen the boat lift. The investigations are already underway and we expect to provide our next update on 28 February 2025.
For customers planning upcoming travel on our other waterways, alternative routes are available via Marsh Lock and along the Manchester Ship Canal. Details and bookings can be found on our Manchester Ship Canal (Ellesmere Port & Marsh Lock) Bookings page or by contacting our North West customer service team on 0303 0404 040
If it's your first time traveling on the Manchester Ship Canal, or just want a reminder, you can find out some very useful information Manchester Ship Canal | Discover the River Weaver Navigation.
24/01/2025 16:14
We'd like to provide an update on the ongoing closure of the Anderton Boat Lift. During routine planned maintenance, a lifting wire on the East aqueduct unexpectedly failed. For safety reasons, the lift remains closed while we investigate the cause.This involves external testing so its taking some time to complete.
We understand how frustrating this is for those affected and apologise for the inconvenience. While we don't yet have a definitive reopening date, we're working hard to provide more clarity.
Our next update will be shared on 7 February 2025.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to ensure the long-term safety and reliability of this iconic, historic structure.
06/01/2025 14:07
Following our previous update, we have continued to evaluate the problems with the East river gate at the Anderton Boat Lift. We can confirm that the required repairs affect both gates at the site.
Our teams are assessing the requirements for repair with specialist contractors. In the meantime our Customer Support Team will be contacting and supporting all those customers who have booked passages that are affected by this temporary closure.
We apologise for the continued inconvenience this causes our boating customers and expect to be able to update with further details on Friday 24th January.
