Sir Edward Garnier, MP for Harborough, Oadby and Wigston, on Sunday 17 November visited Foxton Locks to see the repair and maintenance of lock gates 9 and 13. The Canal and River Trust held an open weekend for people to climb down into the drained locks and to take guided tours of the famous Foxton Steps, as well as free admission to the museum all weekend.
Sir Edward commented: “Foxton Locks is a gem for Leicestershire. It dates back to 1814 and has been transporting commercial cargo and more recently families on holiday and other private canal boat users since. It is the largest flight of staircase locks on the English canal system and recognised as one of the most important industrial heritage sites in Europe. It is an outstanding work of engineering and it was good to see how the Trust keeps the locks operational nearly 200 years on. I met members of staff from the Trust as well as some of the volunteers who have devoted much of their free time to preserving this wonderful site for posterity.”