The Foxton Barge Lift was designed as part of a project to widen the canal so that bigger boats could use it. Building wider locks would have used too much water, so the lift was built (in 1900) which allowed two barges at a time to go up or down the hill. As well as saving water this also sped up canal traffic. However, the lift was dismantled in 1927 as it was not used enough. There is now a campaign to restore the lift so it can be used again.
