This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Encouraging a "canal culture" in Scotland
11/10/2002
The first policy document discussing the future of
Scotland historic canals is published today.
Increasing public awareness of the country's waterways,
and encouraging economic regeneration through the
development of a "canal culture" are some of the aims
behind it, Enterprise and Transport Minister Iain Gray
said.
On a visit to the Union Canal at Wester Hailes in
Edinburgh today, he explained:
"Scotland has some of the most historic canals in
Britain and after decades of decline, we are now increasing
investment and recognising the potential our canals can
offer.
"The untapped potential of these important assets needs
to be further explored and I am pleased that following the
Scottish budget I have been able to award an extra £2.8
million for this current year as a reflection of our
commitment.
"Following devolution, responsibility for our canals was
transferred to Scottish Ministers and I am delighted that
today's document at last addresses some of the real
benefits our canals can contribute. I want the public to
take part in this debate so we can make sure we reverse the
neglect and create a new Scottish canal culture that makes
the most of these assets."
The document has three aims:
- to raise public awareness of canals and encourage
and stimulate debate on the future use of canals in
Scotland
- to increase use - particularly through tourism,
leisure opportunities, cycling and walking
- to encourage the economic regeneration of the canal
side, promoting business and development
opportunities.
The Minister continued:
"This document clearly sets out the next steps which we
consider to be essential for the continued revitalisation
of Scotland's canals and our aspirations for the
future.
"Next year Edinburgh will host the World Canals
Conference which will no doubt prove a welcome boost for
tourism as well as raising awareness of the attractions our
canals can offer.
"The old perception of canals has been that they were
simply derelict dumping grounds. We must make more of these
historic assets and use them to encourage economic
regeneration not only in urban areas but rural areas
too.
"Places like Manchester and Birmingham have shown the
major results that can be achieved by recognising their
full potential. I am also keen to gain from others'
experience and next week, as part of the Executive's
Scotland in Sweden week, I am planning to meet those behind
the economic regeneration on the Gota canal in Sweden."
Scotland's Canals: An Asset for the Future outlines a
number of ideas with the intention of
stimulating debate.
- Regeneration, Planning and Development: creating
job opportunities, improving the environment, providing
a focus for tourism in rural communities.
- Public Access: providing greater opportunity for
people to enjoy the countryside, increasing
accessibility and promoting public sector and community
involvement.
- Integrated Transport: possibilities for waterborne
public and freight transport, renovated towpaths
providing amenities for walking and cycling.
- Environment: careful management of the waterways to
protect the environment and wide range of wildlife,
flora and fauna.
- Tourism: the Falkirk Wheel, proving a huge visitor
attraction, enabling travel across lowland Scotland;
Caledonian Canal accounting for 14% of tourism spend in
the Great Glen.
- Links between Public bodies: encouraging links and
partnership working with public bodies such as
VisitScotland, Enterprise Bodies and Local Authorities.
Creating a climate for private sector investment.
Welcoming BW working in partnership with private
sector.
The Scottish Budget, announced on September 12, 2002,
increased grant funding to British Waterways from £7.1
million this year to £8.4 million next year and £8.9
million in 2004-05 and 2005-06. Over and above this, the
Executive has agreed to award an extra one-off grant of
£2.8 million in the current financial year.
This will help British Waterways meet the cost of:
- developing facilities along the Millennium
Link
- the vandalism at the Falkirk Wheel earlier this
year
- increased dredging to the Caledonian Canal
following recent flooding in the Inverness area
Scotland's Canals: An Asset for the Future will be made
widely available to local libraries, secondary schools,
colleges, universities and all organisations with an
interest in canals.