Waterways charity The Canal and River Trust (C&RT) has advertised for a senior project manager to oversee the restoration of the iconic boat lift, which is currently closed to boat traffic due to a mechanical failure.
Campaign groups including the River Weaver Navigation Society (RWNS) and the Inland Waterways Association have claimed that the Anderton Boat Lift could and should reopen soon.
As RWNS has pointed out, boats on the River Weaver are currently isolated from the rest of the national waterway network due to the current failure of Weston Marsh Lock downstream near Frodsham.
However, C&RT insist the boat lift will not reopen this boating season and is also unlikely to reopen before a planned £15,000,000 full restoration, to be funded with a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The project manager that C&RT wishes to appoint will ideally have a degree in civil engineering or surveying as well as project management qualifications.
According to the job description, the focus of the role is on delivering the Anderton boat lift “on time and within budget”, but also includes work on the restoration of the Vyrnwy Aqueduct in North Wales.
The ongoing closure of the Anderton Boat Lift and the failure of Weston Marsh Lock near Frodsham means boats on the River Weaver are currently cut off from the rest of the waterway network(Image: C&RT)
It continues: “Anderton is our iconic cathedral of the waterways, a unique structure built more than 150 years ago.”
“It is a unique boat lift that needs a complete renovation.
“The main structure, mechanical, electrical and control systems all need to be overhauled to ensure the lift can continue to lift boats into the future.
“This includes highly developed project management skills, the ability to work with consultants and contractors and a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
“This includes ecologists, heritage consultants, engineers and operations teams.”
The new Project Manager position will be advertised as a remote employee, however the incumbent will be expected to travel to Northwich on a regular basis and therefore ideally be located nearby.
Salary is up to £46,000 a year depending on experience, plus a £425 monthly car allowance and a “competitive” defined contribution pension scheme.
The Commissioner may also fish for free on the C&RT's statewide waterway network.