Foxton Locks Masterplan

Public consultation is beginning on the future of the Foxton Locks site, including restoration of the working boat lift and additional supporting projects. The draft Masterplan for the site can be viewed at www.waterscape.com/foxton and the Partnership would welcome any comments before 9th June 2009.

Water based tourism is a theme that has resonance within both Leicestershire and Rutland. The Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal represents a water-based tourism resource within the Leicestershire tourism market. From Northamptonshire and into Leicester, where the canal joins with the River Soar, the Leicester line is a quiet section of canal that passes through rolling hills and beautiful countryside. Included within this section of the waterway is the landmark attraction of Foxton Locks, which is the highest point of the Grand Union Canal.

Foxton Locks possesses a redundant inclined plane boat lift, which has been nominated as one of Leicestershire’s favourite attractions and one of the East Midlands seven man made wonders. The site is considered to be one of the significant visitor assets within Leicestershire.

British Waterways, on behalf of the Foxton Locks Partnership, completed the first phase of restoration and interpretation in June 2008 at a cost if £2.9 million, with generous assistance from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the East Midlands Development Agency, Leicestershire County Council and others. It is now considering whether it is economically viable to restore the boat lift to full working order. With funding from East Midlands Tourism, the Foxton Inclined Plane Trust and others, it has commissioned research to assess this. The emerging masterplan looks to develop Foxton Locks as a regional tourist destination, including a full restoration of the inclined plane boat lift.

Comments are being invited on sketch proposals for the new masterplan. In addition to the working boatlift, the proposal will include several projects to improve facilities for visitors and make better use of the site, as well as contributing financially towards a sustainable boatlift.