Foxton Businesses Left Reeling by CRT Fencing and Lack of Consultation

Foxton Canal Museum and businesses at Foxton Locks have expressed shock and dismay after the Canal & River Trust (CRT) erected industrial safety fencing across the site over the August Bank Holiday weekend — without prior consultation. 

The fencing, which restricts visitor movement and cuts off trails around the site was put up during the busy bank holiday weekend.  Families and other visitors were left disappointed, and local businesses have seen vital summer trade disrupted. 

This comes only weeks after CRT announced closed the locks and canal navigation, giving just one week’s notice. The cumulative effect has left Foxton Locks’ businesses struggling during what should have been the busiest month of the summer season. 

Paul Hitchcock, chair of Foxton Inclined Plane Trust, who run Foxton Canal Museum said: 

“To effectively close off the site over the August Bank Holiday, after already cutting visitor numbers in July, is devastating. The museum’s summer trail was suddenly inaccessible, visitors openly complained, and our reputation has suffered — all because CRT failed to consult in advance. The situation is unacceptable.” 

“CRT often describes Foxton Locks as one of its ‘honeypot’ sites,” continued Mr Hitchcock. “Yet recent actions show little interest or support for the very businesses that make the site worth visiting. Livelihoods are in jeopardy — and that cannot continue" 

Foxton Locks, one of Leicestershire’s most visited heritage attractions, is home to a mix of independent businesses, museum, pubs and cafes all located around the longest flight of narrow staircase locks in England, and the remains of the inclined plane boat lift, now a scheduled monument.    The businesses draw thousands of visitors to the site each year, which also generates income for CRT through car parking and recruitment to their charity friends' scheme.  

BACKGROUND FOR EDITORS 

Foxton Inclined Plane Trust is a charity founded 1982, responsible for the running of Foxton Canal Museum and to promote and protect the remains of the inclined plane, a boat lift, now listed by historic England as a scheduled monument. The accredited museum welcomes 10,000 visitors each year and runs a busy programme of temporary exhibitions, and workshops alongside its permanent exhibits.