A Virtual Anderton Lift

Anderton Lift is a "must do" for any boater who is interested in the history of the canals and wants to maintain their character and structures in working order.

It is a "must see" if you are unable to get here by boat and it is possible to experience it on the Edwin Clarke trip boat. Our photos will give you a "virtual" look at the Lift - after you have read this of course, the link is below!

On a boat you can just turn up and wait for the next available slot, but at busy times it might pay to book ahead if you have a schedule or do not want to wait all day!

We decided to pay our £5 to be sure of the passage we wanted. The £5 is well spent as it goes back into the upkeep of the waterways and gives access to the museum and grounds once on the waiting moorings at the lift.

We really enjoyed our trip down and marvelled at the structure. The Lift was built in 1875 it is a 50 foot link between the Trent and Mersey Canal and the River Weaver Navigation.

The Lift was built to enable the transhipment of salt between the two waterways, replacing cranes, chutes and an inclined plane.

Originally it was operated by hydraulics

Unfortunately the hydraulic cylinders were problematic and began to fail regularly.

By 1908 a new superstructure was built and then the Lift was operated by electric motors, counterweights and pulleys.

New  foundations and superstructure had to be built to carry all the weight

By the 1970s commercial traffic had ceased altogether and the Lift was used in the summer by recreational boats. In 1983 extensive corrosion was found and it was finally closed.

In the 1990s the restoration was proposed and it was restored with the original, but modified hydraulic system. All the frame and pulleys of the 1908 modification have been retained giving the Lift its Cathedral-like appearance.

For a "virtual trip" on the Anderton Lift we have a number of photos taken as we came down the other day - have a look and marvel as we did!



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