The project for British Waterways involves ensuring the structural integrity of the aqueduct for decades to come, as well as making the structure more accessible and visually appealing to visitors.
Lune Aqueduct carries the Lancaster Canal over the River Lune. The historic aqueduct, which was built by John Rennie, is designated Grade I on the statutory list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest.
The facelift includes a new visitors’ car park, a woodland trail, new access paths and new information boards. Work also includes the removal of trees, bushes and vegetation that have obscured the aqueduct from view for many years. Specialist stonemasons have been abseiling from the aqueduct to remove vegetation and graffiti from the 200-year-old structure.
The canal towpath, which is still open to the public, is also being widened and resurfaced, and the stone steps leading onto the structure from the Millennium Cycle Path have been doubled in width to provide much better access. Damaged stone balustrades are also being replaced. Work to repair the canal channel and stop leaks has already been carried out.
