Wastewater facilities to improve water quality at Foxton Locks

Facilities are to be built to better manage wastewater at Foxton Locks and improve its water quality.

Earlier this week, British Waterways announced a £150,000 project at the locks in Leicestershire, which includes building a new pumping station to remove wastewater from the river.

Work has already begun on the 200-year-old site, which is one of Leicestershire's top tourist attractions.

Senior manager of British Waterways Jeff Whyatt said that work needed to be carried out because the current wastewater system "wasn't built to cope with this level of demand", with up to 300,000 visitors travelling to Foxton Locks each year.

The pumping station will lead to a 600-metre long sewage pipe, connected to the public sewer near Foxton.

He said: "Linking up with the main sewerage system is the perfect solution, one that will last for many years and will require minimal maintenance."

Last month, British Waterways advised visitors heading to the Grand Union Canal and Olton Reservoir of the poor water quality in the areas due to blue-green algae, which can be toxic.

Posted by Claire Manning