Phase 1 of the project will see the canal extended a short distance from Waterloo Bridge where it will enter into an attractive modern boatlift which will take craft down 4m, the same as the original staircase lock that was in this location.

Boats will then travel under the railway viaduct in a restored section of the canal into a winding hole (pronounced whin-ding). A winding hole is a short length of very wide canal, used as a place to turn a boat around and is so named because the wind can be used to help the boat to turn. Although this is a cul-de-sac it will provide a unique feature to attract boating enthusiasts to the town whilst the remainder of the project is completed.

Phase 1 Including Boat Lift and Winding Hole

Initial Phase 1

To kick-start the first part of Phase 1, the project has been allocated funding from central government. Unlock Runcorn gives its name to one of the eight projects that form the Reconnecting Runcorn initiative (reconnectingruncorn.info) operated by Halton Borough Council (HBC).  This overall initiative has been awarded £23.6 million of Levelling-Up funding, £3.8 million of which is allocated to the Unlock Runcorn project.

Of the £3.8 million, approximately £3 million will be used by HBC to extend the canal and redevelop the area (see planning application in last week’s post).  The charity has signed a grant agreement with HBC for £865,000 of funding which will be used to construct a café & visitor centre, purchase two trip boats and to run a series of events to promote and expand the charity.